Two months after having rolled over the All Blacks (40-25), the XV of France resumed its march forward with a first stage a priori within its reach: the Squadra Azzurra, eternal wooden spoon of the Tournament, which is running after its first success in the competition since 2015.

The Blues like clockwork?

Patatras, the preparation was disrupted on Friday by the announcement by the French Rugby Federation that coach Fabien Galthié, tested on Thursday then Friday, was positive for Covid.

A fourth case after those of Pierre Bourgarit (La Rochelle) on January 24, of Thibaud Flament (Toulouse) two days later and of a "member of the logistics management" on February 2, according to the FFR.

"I feel good, I had a few small symptoms on Wednesday. I went into isolation on Wednesday, we had been tested in the morning, I was negative. I had symptoms at the end of the day, I am went to see the doctor: I was tested again. I was in solitary confinement and yesterday (Thursday), we had confirmation with a PCR test. We followed the protocol to the letter," Galthié told the newspaper. AFP.

The coach of the XV of France Fabien Galthié announces the list of players selected to face Georgia, November 12, 2021 in Marcoussis, during their 1st test match of the Autumn Tour, FRANCK FIFE AFP / Archives

Jalibert "too fair"

For the reunion with the Stade de France, no worries.

“Everything is set for Sunday: since I am isolated, I take part in all the meetings by video or audio (…) Sunday, I will be at a distance with a telephone and a few brief exchanges, before, after, in the middle - time …”, detailed the coach.

If Galthié is not in the stands, on the ground, on the other hand, the Blues will have habits: thirteen of the fifteen New Zealand scorers find their marks against Italy.

Julien Marchand, who had given up his place as hooker due to a rib injury in the fall, finds his flocked jersey from N.2 while Dylan Cretin settles in the third row.

Frenchman Dylan Cretin, in training, on July 6, 2021 in Brisbane, on the eve of the test match against Australia Patrick HAMILTON AFP / Archives

"Dylan is there all the time, he trains with us, he is in all the competitions, all the tours. We played twenty test matches, he has thirteen selections. Which means that he starts today, it is first of all his level of play and the complementarity he can have", explained Galthié to AFP.

The Lyonnais, darling of the coach of the French touch Karim Ghezal, also benefits from the repositioning of Cameron Woki, usual third line at UBB, in the cage or the absences of Charles Ollivon (knee) and Thibaud Flament (Covid).

The 2nd row of the French team Cameron Woki, captures a ball in touch against New Zealand, during their last test match of the Autumn Tour, November 20, 2021 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis FRANCK FIFE AFP/Archives

Last tests on Saturday

With Cretin and Woki, the staff of the Blues opted for two of the best jumpers in the Top 14, just to establish their domination.

"They have qualities, not just in touch. They are two players very involved in the strategy of air conquest. You have to find the right balance between power on the ground and air presence", further justified Galthié.

Usual replacement for Romain Ntamack at the opening, the N.10 Matthieu Jalibert is meanwhile "too fair" and does not appear on the score sheet.

The opening half of the XV of France Matthieu Jalibert pierces the Georgian defense, during the test match of the Autumn Tour, on November 14, 2021 at the Matmut Atlantique Stadium in Bordeaux Romain PERROCHEAU AFP / Archives

Unlike Toulouse, absent during the first week of the rally.

Five of the reigning French champions (Dupont, Cros, Jelonch, Baille, Ntamack) tested positive at the end of January.

The scrum half, captain of the Blues and best player in the world, has only played one game since December 11, 70 unexciting minutes in the defeat against Racing 92.

But do not worry about their lack of rhythm, according to the staff.

"It's not four, five, six days off, especially at this time of the season, that will cause a lot of problems," also tempered performance director Thibault Giroud.

Romain Ntamack and Antoine Dupont (g), November 19, 2021 at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, on the eve of the last test match of the Autumn Tour against New Zealand at Stad (R) and France's scrum half Antoine Dupont tale part in a captain's run at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, on November 19, 2021, on the eve of the autumn international rugby union test match between France and New Zealand.

FRANCK FIFE AFP/Archives

"We are preparing for all eventualities, with last minute packages: we have a last test on Saturday morning", added Galthié.

Response on the ground on Sunday.

© 2022 AFP