after the draw against Italy, “Fabien Galthié is absolutely not in danger”, affirms the president of the French Rugby Federation

Florian Grill confirmed the coach of the French XV in his role on Monday, the day after the sad draw conceded against Italy (13-13), in Lille.

The day after the historic home draw against Italy (13-13), the president of the French Rugby Federation is staying the course. Florian Grill assured AFP on Monday February 26 that “Fabien Galthié was absolutely not in danger”, while the performances of the XV of France raise questions at the start of the year. The Blues started the 2024 Six Nations Tournament with a dry defeat against Ireland at the Vélodrome (38-17), before a happy victory in Scotland (20-16).

“We thought carefully, it’s not a decision we make on one match, on one point, and not on a somewhat complicated transition of matches either”, explained the manager. The draw conceded against Italy, certainly outnumbered for 40 minutes, complicates the end of the Tournament for the French team, which still has to play two matches: first against Wales in Cardiff, on the 10th. March, then against England at Groupama Stadium in Lyon, on March 16.

“A relationship of trust”

“I’m a manager, I’m not the type to swerve under pressure”assured Florian Grill. “These are not decisions that are made on a match. We had six months, with Jean-Marc (Lhermet, vice-president of the FFR), to establish a relationship and understand it, to see that we worked very well together. There is a relationship of trust that is established”continued the one who will put his position at stake during the elections for the presidency of the FFR, on October 19.

The unconvincing performances of the French team at the start of the year therefore do not call into question the confidence placed in Fabien Galthié. The coach of the XV of France himself admitted after the match against Italy: “We have already experienced difficult times, this is one of them. We can’t do what we want to do, but it’s time to come together, to show resilience. We want to do better.” The former coach of Montpellier, Stade Français and Toulon led the Blues to victory and the Grand Slam at the 2022 Six Nations Tournament, before failing in the quarter-finals of the World Cup against Africa of the South (29-28), last fall.