World Cup 2023. Before France

UA final high-intensity training session at the Capridan furnace for the Blues against Australia on Sunday (5.45pm) before World Cup tussles begin. Francois Cross and Paul Willems are the meeting to begin with (read the box), Against Fiji last week. Like next, facing the All Blacks in the World Cup opener at the Stade de France? For that, they need to assert themselves after an internship cut short by injuries.

UA final high-intensity training session at the Capridan furnace for the Blues against Australia on Sunday (5.45pm) before World Cup tussles begin. Francois Cross and Paul Willems are the meeting to begin with (read the box), Against Fiji last week. Like next, facing the All Blacks in the World Cup opener at the Stade de France? For that, they need to assert themselves after an internship cut short by injuries.

France’s XV’s staff may be at the forefront of technology, drinks loaded with electrolytes, sensors to analyze sweat and all, as Wednesday’s training in Gabridan took its toll. Almost 40 degrees in the shade, it felt even more… As a result, the players stuck out their tongues, splashed water at every downtime, and looked for refreshment on the sidelines or even directly under the table.

Willems plays big

At the end of the session, Paul Willems, still scheduled to pass the press point, wandered very tiredly into the Blues’ bus. On Sunday, there’s no question of MHR hiding for the second row: he’ll play big against the Wallabies. A starting place to start the World Cup, that’s all. Fabian Caldi’s undisputed holder during the last two six-night matches, the 30-cap Montpellier second-row feels Cameron Vokey’s breathing down his neck, with few expecting him to start against New Zealand.

Blame it on soft hamstrings. A series of injuries allowed him to start just 13 games with his club this season. Before warning again during the preparation for the World Cup, barring him from playing in both games against Scotland. The native of Pretoria, South Africa was completely unconvinced from the start against Fiji. Lack of rhythm, no doubt.

“Even though I’ve injured my hamstring four times this year, I feel on top, however, the person involved announced after the meeting. There, everything is going well and I’m gaining confidence after every training session. It’s good to know that the physical preparation work is paying off. “Moreover, against Australia , he will be expected and will have to perform well to regain the status he had before his physical handicaps.

Rhythm for Cross

The deal is a bit different for Francois Gross. He was also crippled by multiple injuries – in the knee – last season, and a new injury, to the adductors, during the preparation of the XV of France, the third line looks a little less due to the competition. For the Toulouse side, the challenge against the opposition against the Wallabies will be to find a rhythm ahead of what could be the most important encounter of his career.

“I was lucky to stay in touch with the team, attend all the training sessions and learn about the whole system”

When asked about his truncated preparation after Wednesday’s practice, Cross dismissed the press’ concerns: “I didn’t stop. We often think that when players are injured they don’t train. But we have a lot of things. We have talented coaches, so we’ve changed the physical work, so I do things indoors, non-racing but serious things. »

The reigning French champions, however, need to re-establish automatisms with their partners in blue during their two encounters against Scotland, with whom he was only able to play 55 minutes at competitive level against Fiji. “There are always small signs, Françoise Gross points out. But I had the opportunity to stay in touch with the team, attend all the training sessions and get to know the whole system. It’s different to see and experience it, but it stopped me from throwing up when I returned. »

During the 2022 tournament, the big one Kroos and Willems are essential for France to win. It will still need to be crowned with the most beautiful title in its history in Saint-Denis on October 28.

Team

Possible Combination Against Australia: Ramos – Benat, Figou, Dandy, Villiers – (o) Jalibert, (m) Dupont (cap.) – Olivonne, Aldrid, Gros – Willems, Flament – Adonio, Marchant, Gros.
Les Bleus will retire this Thursday, leaving Gabreton for Paris the following day and facing Australia at the Stade de France on Sunday (5:45pm). They will be released in action before a new rally in Rueil-Malmaison on 2 September. They will stay until the first match of the World Cup, Friday 8 (9pm), against New Zealand in Saint-Denis.