Europe 1 with AFP 11:01 p.m., January 10, 2023

Beyond the conviction at first instance for corruption of the president of the Federation Bernard Laporte, "French rugby shines around the world" thanks to the results of the Blues, estimated Tuesday the coach Fabien Galthié on the occasion of his media return to Belves, in the Dordogne.

Journalist

: Can the current uncertainty at the top of the FFR disrupt the French team less than eight months before the World Cup (September 8 - October 28)?

Fabien Galthié

: "It's something that doesn't belong to us, but we are closely monitoring what is happening. In December, during the difficult period, during the storm, Bernard Laporte asked me two things: whatever it happens, to continue to chart our course towards the 2023 World Cup, and also to prepare the next mandate until 2027. We are totally committed to this mission. We need to keep this vision, that "We have been building for three years. To keep this continuity, which has allowed us to progress collectively. We need continuity, visibility, and I believe that for the moment this is the case. Everything is organized, everything is planned until the 2023 World Cup."

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Journalist

: Is this case damaging the image of French rugby?

Fabien Galthié

: "Today we are doing what we can do best on the pitch. I believe that for three years, the XV of France, through the 30 matches it has played, has worked for the image of French rugby in the world. When you enter an 80,000-seat stadium like the Stade de France, white-hot. When you have audiences of 10 million viewers. When the growth in licensees exceeds 10%.. These are unmistakable signs. We can say that the image of French rugby, and the image of the XV of France, is positive. And yet, I find that it is not strong enough. For three years , French rugby shines around the world."

Journalist

: You will start the Six Nations Tournament in February as defending champions.

What does this change in the way of approaching it?

Fabien Galthié

: "When we took on the France team three years ago, we defined the objectives. The objectives were to win, quickly, matches, competitions, and become a top 3 team in the world again , to become a major rugby nation again. That's where we are today and that's what we wanted (France is second in the World Rugby rankings behind Ireland). he French team gets off the bus to go to the stadium, that's how they want to present themselves.For this Six Nations Tournament, we will try to repeat what we managed to do last year. "