XV of France: “Rugby is not the Star Academy, it is not Koh-Lanta”, Fabien Galthié explains his choices before challenging Italy

Le sélectionneur a justifié ses choix devant la presse. MAXPPP – Guillaume Horcajuelo

«Rugby is not the Star Academy. It’s not Koh-Lanta», France XV coach Fabien Galthié justified himself on Friday by revealing his team composition, almost unchanged, to face the' #39;Italy in the 6 Nations Tournament on Sunday in Lille (4 p.m.).

Two changes only

"We can clearly hear what is being said, the reading that some have on the performances of our players. This is very good, the comments saying that the team should be changed. But rugby is not the Star Academy. It's not Koh Lanta either. The players are not there by chance. We sometimes have the right to be a little less efficient collectively. We also have the right to be a little less strong individually. They are simply human beings (…)

We are convinced that massive turnover doesn't work, not with this team, its history. We are convinced that living the experience we are having at the moment will make us stronger. Today we are in a moment of resilience, of transition.

🇫🇷⚡️🇮🇹 La composition de 𝐕𝐎𝐒 𝐁𝐋𝐄𝐔𝐒 pour affronter l'Italie ! #FRAITA

⏳ Rendez-vous dimanche à 16h à Lille pour la 3ème journée des #SixNations 2024#NeFaisonsXV #XVdeFrance pic.twitter.com/ZA0ZniZIRV

— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) February 23, 2024

No more requirements in the content ?

"Frankly, I believe that no one is more demanding of ourselves than we are. When we work on analysis, we are uncompromising on feedback. But it remains between us (…) Obviously, we want to do more. We remain as ambitious as ever. But we are in a period of resilience and it is being built step by step. First on the basics of this game, structured for the moment around simple principles: solidarity, commitment, courage. And the heart, the heart of our team, the heart of the men.

François Cros in number 8

"He will be less likely to mess with the line (than Grégory Alldritt) on the power aspect. But it's a regulator. He's a player we're happy to have with us.

Italians with a French accent

"He’s an opponent we know well since we play him every year. We played them in the World Cup, with their qualities. They are Latin, trained by Gonzalo Quesada, who knows us well. The team composition is out and Gonzalo has put in quite a few players who play in France. This is no coincidence. It's because he knows that they will be determined to demonstrate their courage, their virtue, and bring out their best rugby.