. 28/04/2019: a two-stage appointment

The announcement of the arrival of Fabien Galthié at the head of the Blues is a little strange, while Jacques Brunel is still coach and before the 2019 World Cup in Japan, via an interview with Bernard Laporte, then president of the French Rugby Federation (FFR), to the regional daily Le Berry Républicain.

The former coach and Minister of Sports would have initially preferred to appoint a foreigner at the head of the Blues, but his choice was refused by the clubs in a referendum.

Galthié was first Brunel's assistant in Japan, where France was eliminated in the quarters by Wales, before assembling an ultra-specialized staff in November: Raphaël Ibanez (manager), Laurent Labit (attack), William Servat and Karim Ghezal (conquest), Shaun Edwards (defence) and Thibault Giroud (director of performance).

. 02/02/2020: first match and first win, against England

The first competition of the Galthié era, the 2020 Six Nations Tournament, played in a particular context, Covid-19 obliges, begins with a match against the English "sworn enemy", vice-world champion 2019.

In other words, a mountain for a XV of France subscribed to the second roles for a few seasons (4th in 2018 and 2019, 3rd in 2017).

But from this first match, at the Stade de France, the Blues, young and inexperienced, united around their neo-captain Charles Ollivon, make a strong impression, until leading 24-0 against the old English briscards. They eventually won 24-17, launching their tournament ideally.

France XV coach Fabien Galthié in the centre surrounded by his players during the warm-up before the Six Nations match against Wales on February 22, 2020 in Cardiff © GEOFF CADDICK / AFP/Archives

. 22/02/2020: First win in Cardiff for 10 years

The second day of the 2020 Tournament takes the France XV to Cardiff where they have not won for ten years, against the Welsh titleholder.

However, the match quickly turned to the advantage of the Blues, who scored three tries. And a Romain Ntamack gala, author of 17 points and who will also finish the competition with the title of best director (57 points).

That year, France finished first, tied with England but had to give up first place on points difference. And Antoine Dupont inaugurates the first of his titles of best player of the Tournament.

. 20/11/2021: the demonstration in the face of All Blacks

The players of the XV de France celebrate the try of their teammate Romain Ntamack against the New Zealanders at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis near Paris on November 20, 2021 © Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP / Archives

After finishing second again in second place at the 2021 Tournament, marred by Galthié's exit from the health bubble to attend a match of his son, the France presents itself with confidence against New Zealand, the world's leading nation, for the third of its autumn test matches.

In an electric atmosphere, carried by a boiling Stade de France, the Blues made a cannon start to the match, with three tries in 34 minutes. Showered, the Blacks pull themselves together and flatten in turn three times on the return of the locker room (27-25, 59th).

It will take the famous revival of Ntamack to give courage to his teammates, before Penaud intercepts a ball and goes for the try, thus signing the largest victory of the Blues over the All Blacks (40-25), their first in France since 2000.

. 19/03/2022: Grand Slam in the Tournament, the first since 2010

The 2022 Tournament is the consecration of the Galthié "method": hard-hitting match starts, an iron defense, an uncompromising discipline, stable team compositions.

Coach Fabien Galthié as France has just won the Grand Slam in the 6 Nations Tournament on March 19, 2022 at the Stade de France de Saint-Denis near Paris © FRANCK FIFE / AFP/Archives

The XV of France displays a brilliant form, revealing to the world players of great class on whom it will now be necessary to count: Dupont, Alldritt, Jaminet, Villière, Penaud, Baille, Jelonch ...

In the wake of this tenth Grand Slam, the coach announces that he extends his contract until 2027, and the next World Cup in Australia.

Under his leadership, Les Bleus scored 14 consecutive victories between November 2021 and February 2023, a record streak, interrupted by Ireland, before making up for it by triumphing over England (53-10) at Twickenham.

© 2023 AFP