Double ration of thistle

For the XV of France, the World Cup is launched. More exactly, the preparation of the competition scheduled in France from September 8 to October 28. In his own way, Fabien Galthié kicked off a little less than four months from D-Day, this Tuesday. The coach of the XV of France indeed held a press conference during which he notably revealed the preparation program of the Blues but also the (four) friendly matches that his team will play before attacking the serious things, the 8 September against New Zealand at the Stade de France, six days before facing Uruguay in Lille then engaging with matches against Namibia in Marseille (September 21) and against Italy in Lyon (October 6 ).

The staff of the France team notably chose to test themselves twice against Scotland. “It was chosen well in advance with Bernard Laporte. We very quickly tried to fill the month of August with preparation matches. They make it possible to set up a team which will face Scotland at home, Scotland at home. It will be an opportunity to play in Nantes and Saint-Etienne, ”explained Galthié, before announcing that his team would also be measured against Fiji and Australia. “It seems to be the most coherent, the mix is ​​perfect. We have to find the right balance to be ready for the first match against the All-Blacks. »

A first list of 42 on June 21

In this sense, “the first time of preparation” will also be very important. It will take place in Monaco during the first week of July. A few days earlier, during the “first working period before Monaco”, to use the words of the former Toulon manager, referring to these “four days of preparation”, a first list of 42 will be communicated. Exactly on June 21. “We are going to select a group of 23 players who will come to Marcoussis the first week of June with the U20s. These are players who potentially must have the ambition to enter the locker room of the 42. With the hope of being part of the final cut.