Paris, France – With the Six Nations Championship title still within reach, the French national rugby team is turning its attention to Saturday’s crucial match against England at the Stade de France. Despite a disappointing defeat to Scotland last weekend, head coach Fabien Galthié is urging his squad to remain focused and not underestimate a resilient English side. The stakes are high: a victory, potentially with a bonus point, will secure the championship for Les Bleus.
Galthié addressed the media on Thursday, outlining the team’s mindset and explaining the changes to the starting lineup. The primary message was clear: the setback in Edinburgh is in the past, and all energy must now be directed towards the challenge posed by England. “We moved on to the England match immediately after,” Galthié stated. “We didn’t dwell on Scotland; we’re projecting forward. We’ve given ourselves the right to play this match, to win it – that’s what interests and motivates us.”
Forced Changes to the French Lineup
The French team will face England with several key adjustments. Injuries and suspensions have forced Galthié’s hand, leading to opportunities for new players to prove themselves on the international stage. Notably, Anthony Jelonch will miss the match due to an injury to his hamstring, and Oscar Jegou is serving a suspension following a dangerous tackle in the Scotland game. Adding to the list of absentees is center Nicolas Depoortere, sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Perhaps the most significant change is the debut of Temo Matiu in the back row. The 24-year-vintage from Union Bordeaux Bègles will slot in alongside François Cros and Charles Ollivon. Galthié explained the decision, highlighting Matiu’s blend of attributes: “Temo is a mix of speed, power, and skill. He will complement François and Charles. He’s been with us since the autumn of 2024, as a reserve player in Wales and Scotland. It’s interesting to give him an opportunity based on what we’ve seen in training and his performances with his club.”
The selection of Matiu carries a personal resonance, as Galthié revealed a connection to the player’s family. “His father, Legi, made his debut for the French team in 2000 in a match in Wales where I played. It was a difficult week for his family [he had lost his daughter shortly before], and we built his performance around him.”
Acknowledging the Scotland Disappointment, Looking Ahead
While Galthié was quick to dismiss any lingering impact from the 50-40 defeat in Scotland, he did acknowledge the need for self-assessment. When questioned about potential errors in team selection for the Scotland match – the same lineup that had previously performed well against Ireland – Galthié defended his decisions. “It was the same team that played against Ireland, and we functioned very well for 50 minutes. Then, you pointed out the difficulties encountered during coaching. It’s easy to say that afterward. When we develop our decisions, we stand by them.”
The coach emphasized the importance of focusing on the present and the challenges ahead, rather than dwelling on past results. “In this competition, data changes from one day to the next; there’s no transitive property. The past is the past. All six teams have experienced good and difficult moments.”
Respect for a Resurgent England
Despite England’s recent struggles – three consecutive defeats, including a historic loss to Italy – Galthié cautioned against complacency. “England remains formidable,” he asserted. “They arrived with 12 consecutive wins in this tournament and legitimate ambitions. They’ve been doing good work for some time. They’re going through a difficult period now, but they’re ambitious. They have very good players, a staff that works very well, and their results are linked to the difficulty of the competition. They have a strong set piece and exert constant pressure in all areas of the field, particularly in the backfield with high kicks.”
Galthié’s comments underscore the respect France holds for their historic rivals, even in the face of England’s current form. The “Crunch,” as the match is known, is always a fiercely contested affair, and this year’s encounter is no exception.
Grand Slam No Longer the Focus
With the defeat to Scotland effectively ending their hopes of a Grand Slam, France’s focus has shifted solely to winning the championship. Galthié acknowledged this change in priorities. “You have to respect all opponents. You talk about a Grand Slam, but you don’t realize the quality of the opponents and the difficulty of the competition. That’s not our case. The team is ambitious, we believe in their potential. We’ll talk about it later; we’re all focused on the ultimate goal, this moment of truth.”
Addressing Antoine Dupont’s Conduct
The match against Scotland also saw a moment of controversy involving French captain Antoine Dupont, who appeared to snub a handshake offered by Scotland’s Ben White at the final whistle. Galthié downplayed the incident, attributing it to the heat of the moment. “That’s part of the game. We are human beings, and sometimes we are very good, sometimes a little less. Sometimes we have luck, sometimes a little less. Antoine is also a human being, even if he is an exceptional player. He has more complicated passages, we assume. There’s nothing serious about what happened; it’s part of an experience, a life lived, and a path that must lead us to Saturday.”
The French squad will be looking to position the disappointment of Edinburgh behind them and deliver a strong performance in front of their home crowd. The match against England promises to be a thrilling encounter, with the Six Nations Championship title on the line. Kick-off is scheduled for 21:10 local time (19:10 UTC) at the Stade de France in Paris.
Next Up: France vs. England, Saturday, March 14th, 21:10 CET / 19:10 UTC at Stade de France, Paris.
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