Paris (AFP)

The scrum-half Baptiste Serin does not "take too much head" on his promotion to captain of the XV of France which will last the time of a match against Italy, decisive for the accession to the final of the Coupe d fall of nations, Saturday at the Stade de France.

Q: How do you approach this type of match with just a few days of preparation?

A: "By preparing well all week ... What was important for us was that the new players and the whole group find out what we were going to put in place for this match as quickly as possible. . We did some analytical work during the first two days, that is to say a lot of video and analysis on our game and that of the Italians. We also did a lot of sequences while walking to make it happen quickly and be ready for Wednesday's training. This maximum intensity training was very good, with a few details to correct but we immediately rectified the situation the next day (Thursday) in the video. place this (Friday) evening went very well. There is a lot of confidence, although we did not have a good time to prepare. "

Q: What advice have you given to the new ones, you who are one of the more experienced on the team?

A: "To soak up the stadium today (Friday), the conditions in which we are going to play. It will be a rather wet weather. What I asked them is to think about all the way they have traveled to get there and to play without fear. Everyone will have to contribute to this team. If they are there it is not trivial. My role is to give them confidence. The objective is to win no matter what. I asked them (also) to have an impeccable mindset and give it their all. "

Q: You were once captain in New Zealand (lost 49-14) in 2018. How do you remember that?

A: "Not a very good one because we had taken a lot ... But you can't compare. Morgan (Parra) was captain there, he got hurt from the start so I'm thrown straight into that position. There, I was a little more prepared. So I was able to think about what I was going to say to the guys. But it's bound to be an honor and a pride. It's a role that makes me happy. But I don't get too crazy. I try to be myself and as positive as possible, to make my speech go as well as possible. And to surround myself with some so that they also have a role in the team. The objective is to win and that this first selection goes as well as possible for the newcomers and that they remember it. "

Interview during a video-conference press point

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