The successor to Laurent Labit, in charge of the attack of the XV of France, looks back on his first steps with the staff of the Blues. He also talks about his vision of the game and his whole character.
Comments collected in Marcoussis
What was the goal of this Tuesday’s training with the U20 development team?
Patrick Arlettaz : To use the words of Fabien (Galthié), it is “training to train” with, as the main framework, what we are going to do when we bring the players together at the end of January. We stuck to the first and second training in terms of content and rhythm. I’m new, like Laurent Sempéré (forwards coach), so we’re learning to feel, to see how things work. So that the start of the gathering is oiled and so that the players can walk around there.
How did you adopt the Fabien Galthié method?
We don’t have to appropriate the method. Fabien takes a step towards you very easily. It’s easy. We’re halfway there, there aren’t many steps to take. If he had wanted someone knowledgeable… He wouldn’t have taken me. We all bring different characteristics. Obviously, there is a framework that is efficient. We all want to fit into this framework. He moves the lines, so that we feel comfortable there. I felt a desire to say “what can I do to make this go quickly?” That’s the key word. In selection, we don’t have too much time. In a club, sometimes the time is long. Not in selection. We have to go quickly. Obviously, it goes faster if there is less distance to go… We naturally manage to find our feet little by little.
Should we expect an evolution in the game of the French XV or will there be some form of continuity?
If there is an evolution in the game of the XV of France, it will be Fabien’s will. I bring my thoughts, it’s something that I find interesting. Everyone has the floor, everyone can say. The choice of decision is his. I was taken to ensure that we perform as well as possible when we have the ball. This is all a choice of strategy. Afterwards, I have a character to offer, I am not naturally shy. I’m not an introvert, I don’t know if that’s a quality or a fault, but that’s how it is. He leaves room for discussion, he’s an open boy. If he didn’t have something new in terms of offer, he wouldn’t have taken me on. Discussion and proposals are free. I didn’t sense any discussion where I felt disinterest. You always need an argument, it’s good to fight for your ideas. I’m going to dive 200% into it, I trust his analysis and experience.
I talk a lot, you’ve noticed, so at some point I have to slow down
Patrick Arlettaz, attack coach of the XV of France
How do you find your feet on the field with the other members of the staff?
It’s part of the whole! First of all, there is some oiling to be done between us; there are a lot of speeches, opinions and ideas that we share. But it shouldn’t go in all directions. Otherwise nothing interesting would come out of it. I talk a lot, you’ve noticed, so at some point I have to slow down. It’s an example (smile). We know how to move forward and the sorting that needs to be done. We share the speaking time, we can’t have meetings lasting an hour and a quarter with the players. If I passed the last one and they didn’t listen to me, it would make me sweat to have prepared something… Afterwards, there is everything that we propose on the ground. It’s well-oiled when you no longer need to talk. Coaches, that’s the only way it works. (…) Comfort does not always lead to idleness. Comfort is from time to time something effective for good learning. It’s great that there is a comfort of connections around the players, it promotes learning.
Are you already thinking about the players you are going to call up for the next Six Nations Tournament?
No. For the moment, we are not there. We haven’t discussed the selection yet. There are several appointments that are determined in December for this. We are, for the moment, within the framework and the dynamics. As for the rest, there will be a discussion with an argument, Fabien is quite open to proposals. And he is the final decision-maker. When the rules of the game are established, it is much simpler.
Are you thinking of any new ideas regarding the game itself?
They never stopped, they didn’t wait for me to look for leads. I’m not saying that I’m looking for ideas, but I have beliefs, so I offer them. With my argument. I repeat, the discussion is open. But the decision is his, he is the boss. He’s quite a nice chef, I think… (smile)
Can you tell us about the ideas you are proposing?
Non ! (Laughter) I’m kidding. These are details… I don’t know how to be different from who I am. I come here with all my naivety. I don’t know very, very high level sport. I watched it on TV, I analyzed it too, because I’m a supporter. I looked at the other international teams. Naturally, there are things that excite me. But I am also fond of learning and progressing. To integrate very high level requirements and issues. I understand that the “gap” is important, but the proposals are multiple.
We used to hear a lot of Thibault Giroud on the pitch, now it’s you…
First of all, I don’t know Thibault Giroud… I can’t appreciate the parallel. I tell you again: I am ready to progress. If the progression is to be less talkative and it is useful to the French team, then I will be less talkative. It’s not a problem… At the moment, I’m like this, I arrive and I don’t cheat. I’ve been training like this for 15 years. If afterwards I am told to turn down the volume, which I understand, I will, I have no problem. For now, this is who I am and I always present myself as I am. You like it or you don’t like it, I don’t have a problem with that. I also understood in the meetings that I had to temper myself… (smile)
