Fujiyoshida (Japan) (AFP)

In isolation from their arrival in Japan for the World Cup, the players of the XV of France took advantage of their first day of rest, Thursday, to go in the afternoon, in small groups, to meet schoolchildren Japanese, a "good little moment very important, very warm" according to Guilhem Guirado.

The delegation of captain Charles Ollivon, Demba Bamba and Emerick Setiano, as well as defense coach Jean-Marc Béderède, went to Fujikawaguchiko's Yamanashi Kenritsu Fujizakurashien High School. welcomes children and adolescents with disabilities aged 7 to 18 years.

Under the watchful eye of the cameras and photographers, invited for this visit, the Bleus spent an hour with a hundred boarders, who welcomed them into the gym with cries of "Go the Blues, go the Blues", by applause, with small French flags and gifts.

Then came the time of the presentations: Konichiwa ("Hello" in Japanese), name, first name, post and a note to say his happiness to be here, all translated by the liaison officer.

Guirado and his teammates (all fronts) then made passes and touches, before being quickly joined in these exercises by schoolchildren, who also began choreography and singing.

They also gave them a "Allez la France" poster against the backdrop of Mount Fuji, the sacred mountain that dominates the city of Kawaguchiko.

"We will make sure to post it in the cloakroom so that it follows us as long as possible," Guirado told schoolchildren.

- "Cohesion and social link" -

The captain then returned to the media on this moment "very moving". "In addition, you know my report about associations and sick children" developed Guirado, sponsor of the association ELA, which fights against leukodystrophies, rare diseases attacking the nervous system.

"It has been very important, very warm and it is also good to live all this in Japan because it is important in terms of cohesion and social link" continued the Catalan, pleased to "communicate with the country that we receive ".

"Because we do not know much about their culture and we learn on a daily basis, so it's important to blend in, especially to get used to their customs," Guirado concluded.

In the morning, he and a number of other teammates had other thrills as he made his way to Fuji-Q Highland, one of Japan's most famous theme parks, right next to their hotel.

The Blues will return to serious things Friday, since they will make an opposition in the morning with the Yamaha Jubilo, team of Japanese first division (Top League). Eight days before they entered the match against Argentina on 21 September in Tokyo.

© 2019 AFP