Edinburgh (AFP)
More than give real indications on the progress of the construction site of the XV of France, far from being finished after the misstep on Saturday in Edinburgh against Scotland (17-14), the last match match preparation at the World Cup Friday against Italy, will allow some players to show.
The trip to Murrayfield, between two receptions (Scotland last Saturday, for a 32-3 victory and Italy at the Stade de France), seemed to be the only real big test for the Blues on the road to Japan (September 20). November 2), and they missed it.
Whether they dominate or not the Azzurri, the report will remain: they remain far from the best nations in the world, including England, their last opponent in pools at the World Cup (October 12), who sent a message to the rugby world in Ireland (57-15).
Coach Jacques Brunel and the players, however, were satisfied with the copy made to Murrayfield.
"As long as the state of mind there, we must not be worried", said Jefferson Poirot, who made an appointment in the first game of the World Cup on September 21 against Argentina, already decisive for the qualification.
- Simple tests -
For Poirot, the Blues would have opted for other choices on certain actions if the stake had been different. "If it had been a match of the Tournament or the World Cup, there are situations that we would not have played the same, we would be stupid not to try things," said the left pillar.
Especially on the first Scottish test, born of an attempt to raise by hand, in their camp, behind a scrum. "On a match where we would have to win, we made a time (of play) and we leave cleanly from home.Today, we are in a phase where we must try" advanced the Bordeaux.
This will probably still be the case against Italy. Faced with who Brunel said it would give playing time to those who have not yet had: the reservists Vincent Rattez (back or winger) and Anthony Belleau (center or opener), the latest arrived Virimi Vakatawa (center ), as well as the third line Wenceslas Lauret, scrum half Maxime Machenaud and winger Yoann Huget, if the latter three are fully recovered from their physical glitches.
Only the right pillar Demba Bamba, still recovering from his cervical surgery, and the second line Bernard Le Roux, who will serve his last game of suspension, are certain to step on the lawn of the Stade de France, explained Brunel.
- Places to take -
Ride, while Alivereti Raka has disappointed on his wing in Edinburgh, Belleau and left pillar Cyril Baille will try to instill a little doubt in the head of the coaching to snatch their ticket to Japan.
Like Romain Taofifenua, also second substitute, who will try to convince the staff that he is the ideal replacement for Paul Gabrillagues, if the suspension of six weeks of the latter was confirmed on appeal.
The other solution would indeed be to rely on the versatility of Arthur Iturria and substitute the Parisian by a third line: reservists François Cros and Charles Ollivon scored points, so much so that Lauret play big in Saint-Denis s' he is restored.
Cros and Ollivon instead of Lauret (or Yacouba Camara) and Gabrillagues? This is the main question before the announcement on September 2, the list of 31 selected for the World.
The places seem on the other hand more numerous to take in the XV of departure. Against Italy, Yoann Huget could thus have the opportunity, on his wing, to be able to remember the good memories of the coach, as Romain Ntamack at the opening, post where Camille Lopez is uncertain after being hit on the ribs Saturday.
Finally, still at the hinge, Machenaud could try to convince the staff that he is the striker that the Blues are still looking for. Less than a month from the first match of the World Cup, this is not their only question.
© 2019 AFP