Fabien Galthié is satisfied with the Blues Tournament. FRANCK FIFE / AFP
The coach, who refuses to draw up a complete report as long as the final classification is not known, underlined that, never, the XV of France had won so many matches of the Tournament during the period separating two World Cups.
Are you satisfied with the victory or disappointed with the lack of consistency with avoidable tries conceded?
Fabien Galthié: I am first satisfied with the victory (the XV of France beat Wales 41-28). And the considerable difference in the score. And an offensive bonus. Let’s look at that first. We’ll take a closer look later…
What is your initial assessment of this Tournament?
It’s too early… Simply, on our four Tournaments, we are at 80% of victories. This has never happened in the history of French rugby. It’s very positive.
But it’s the last official match before the World Cup deadline…
Yes. But give us time to end our stay together. We have an evening and then a morning together to say goodbye. Until the next meeting, the start of World Cup preparation… Superficially, we started our Tournament halfheartedly but we did the best we could and we improved. It’s better to feel that there is a progression. There were necessary adjustments, combinations to work on, coordination between conquest and attack.
What is your assessment of setting up the game then?
The game is first of all the results… In terms of the game, there is a good chance that we will finish as the best attack in the Tournament. In defence, we had to adapt to the new rules. We still need to improve, to understand them better. There is also the conquest, the game without the ball…
Do you feel that the opponents deliver their best match against you, that you have become the team to beat?
Definitely the team to beat. But I hope they fear us too. We still have an impressive win ratio. With, for example, only one defeat at home in four years, against Scotland, in stoppages and in a match that was won…
Statements taken at a press conference
