“Should I open the pebroc or not? » That was the question in the not always well-sheltered stands of the National Rugby Center in Marcoussis. 4 days before the opening of the Six Nations Tournament, the French XV trained this Sunday in its stronghold of Essonne, in front of a thousand spectators, umbrellas in hand.
The Blues have gotten into the habit of opening certain sessions to the general public, mostly fans or licensees alerted by email, and who were able to register for free to see Antoine Dupont and his teammates, in the mud for a good hour and a half.
Coming from La Ville-du-Bois a few minutes from Marcoussis, Matthieu registered with his partner and their two children. “We are much more rugby than football. In rugby, we love the atmosphere, the good humor, the French spirit, the beer and the Marseillaise! », Explains this father who was at the Stade de France for last year’s victorious France-Scotland.
The public present at Les Bleus training of course dreams of reliving similar emotions in this 2026 Tournament. “France is the favorite, but it is not alone. England is really not far behind, 1st place will be between them, and Ireland in 3rd,” warns, as an expert, Ilias, 21, rugby player at URC 78 in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, like his little brother Kamil, 11, and even their mother, Afaf, who plays with the club’s moms’ team, the “Mamentalos”.
“It will be disappointing if we don’t win the Tournament”
The whole family took advantage of the Blues’ training session, despite the rain, where they were able to see Matthieu Jalibert still very fit, and Antoine Dupont back at the helm, very applauded. But not Damian Penaud, dismissed by Fabien Galthié. “It’s very surprising,” says Ilias. He’s still the best try scorer in the French XV, and he was in good shape.”
“The best play, Fabien Galthié must know what he is doing,” thinks Maxime, a Stade Toulouse fan from Chesnay (Yvelines), with his friend Géraud, and their two older boys who are also rugby fans. We are also surprised by the absence of Alldritt, we love him. But we have a superb team. It will be disappointing if we don’t win the Tournament. We have never had such a strong team, never had so many resources… If we don’t perform, we will have to ask ourselves questions. »
The stakes are raised for Fabien Galthié and his troops. The Blues multiplied the sequences of play, alternating positions and situations (touch-ins, scrums, etc.), with a few breaks in front of the giant screen, where changes and instructions are indicated, or for a video interlude.
François Cros shortens his session
The public was then able to form a guard of honor in the stand and encourage the Blues one last time before the real kick-off of this Tournament which is so close to their hearts. Fabien Galthié was able to reunite for a moment with his partner Helena Noguerra, present in the stands among the fans of the XV of France.
The Blues coach will then have to look at his team composition. This Sunday after training, there was uncertainty in the composition of the French pack. Firstly at the right pillar position, where, in the absence of Uini Atonio, forced to end his career due to a heart attack, Régis Montagne and Dorian Aldegheri are in the balance.
Then on the third row, where flanker François Cros had to shorten his training session. In the absence of the Toulouse player, Montpellier Lenni Nouchi could start. After a final training session this Monday, Fabien Galthié will announce his team composition on Tuesday noon in Marcoussis.
The probable starting XV for France-Ireland (Thursday at 9:10 p.m.)
Ramos – Attissogbe, Depoortere, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey – (o) Jalibert, (m) Dupont (cap.) – Jégou (or Nouchi), Jelonch, Cros (or Nouchi) – Guillard, Ollivon – Montagne (or Aldegheri), Marchand, Gros.
