Kumamoto (Japan) (AFP)

Ten days without a match, then two in four days: coaching the XV de France will have to adjust the millimeter team compositions and training for the next two World Cup games, against the United States (October 2) then Tonga (6).

The Blues are at rest forced after a single game, won Saturday against Argentina (23-21), forced to wait until mid to late weekend before crossing the iron again.

"It's a bit weird, it feels like it's a sudden stop compared to what we've experienced before, but I think we're going to put some intensity back into practice. week: we have the opportunity to do it with the time we have left, "said Monday Arthur Iturria.

The second line was right: the head of physical preparation Thibault Giroud concocted four intense sessions this week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday), interspersed with a day off. The only four "where we can really work in intensity until the end of the group stage" on October 12 against England, he explains.

Question team compositions, the 31 players, including so without a doubt the latest arrived (Tuesday), Pierre-Louis Barassi (substitute injured Wesley Fofana), should have playing time.

- "Two teams will prepare" -

They will be quickly fixed on their fate: "two teams will prepare to play the two matches in four days" explained Saturday night the coach of the rear, Jean-Baptiste Elissalde.

In 2015, the Blues had already played two games in this period, against Italy and Romania. But eight days had passed before their next match, two more than in this edition, not to mention that the opponent is of a different caliber: England has replaced Canada ...

The constraint for the staff, besides the fact of having a closed group (only 31 players, unlike club, where Hope can come to give a hand), to maintain cohesion and automatisms for these two meetings where the victory is must imperative, preferably with the offensive bonus point.

A priori, therefore, it is impossible to send a team "bis" against the rough Tongans to preserve to the maximum the winners of Argentina in view of the "Crunch" against the English, on October 12, with as probable stake the first place of the hen. But on the other hand, it will be necessary to keep strong forces against the English ...

A puzzler in sight so for coaching, whose choices will dictate the work of physical trainers.

"If guys are not in the first XV start but in the second, the programming will be different because you will have more time (to make them work), says Giroud.Inversement, for those who make the first (match) but not the second, you already think in the after "against the English.

"By cons what will be hard, it's for the guys who will be forced to double" meetings against the United States and Tonga, says Giroud. There will inevitably be, especially in front of it: the XV of France has only two left pillars, four second row or six third row, even if the versatility should be of a precious help.

- Wide range of possibilities -

No player will play twice 80 minutes in four days - "impossible at this level" according to Giroud - but the range of possibilities is wide, the staff can play on the status (holder or substitute) and the time of Game.

Above all, coach Jacques Brunel and his staff will have to adjust, against Tonga, the playing time of the players achieving the "doubled" according to the game against the Americans.

They can not predict everything before: for example, if the game against the Americans was very tough, then the players will be less able to face Tonga. And will therefore have to stay less time on the ground.

The face of the match will also play: if the gap is created quickly, then they can get out early players who will chained. Conversely, if the Blues must whip in the second period to get rid of Americans ...

There remains one last data, even more impossible to anticipate: the possible injuries.

© 2019 AFP