The opportunity to make a copy less messy. A week after their difficult victory against the Pumas at the Stade de France (29-20), the Blues have the opportunity to redeem themselves, Sunday November 14 at 2 p.m. (live on France 2 and France.tv). For this second match of the autumn tour, the XV of France finds, for the second time in its history, the Georgians.
With a little renewed composition – five changes at the front, only one at the back – the Blues have an appointment in Bordeaux, in a Matmut-Atlantique stadium announced almost complete, for a meeting that is announced “rough”, according to the co-trainer of the French forwards, Karim Ghezal.
Final rehearsal before the Blacks
After the opposition against aggressive but blunt Argentines, and before the shock against the New Zealanders on Saturday, November 20, the France team has a great opportunity to test its new tactics. Twelfth in the World Rugby rankings, Georgia is the least successful opponent of the Blues in this autumn tour.
Despite the absences of Gela Aprasidze and Misha Nariashvili, scrum half and Montpellier pillar, the Georgians want to shake up the French by repeating the combative pattern of the Argentines. “We expect a big start by taking us on what did not necessarily work in the first half against Argentina, especially the rucks and the ground game, declared, lucid, on November 9, Cameron Woki, who will hold the second row. We are focused on that. “ Charge to the Blues to show that they have learned from their mistakes.
Jalibert-Ntamack, act II
Despite a disappointing performance against the Pumas, the association between the two professional forerunners Matthieu Jalibert and Romain Ntamack is renewed against Georgia. The first is confirmed at the opening and the second remains in the center. Leaving the lawn in the 54th minute, on November 6, the Toulousain appeared dejected. Will he manage to re-mobilize himself? “We discussed with him and also with Matthieu on choices that could have been better. We had solutions to, despite everything, do better. Responsibility is shared”, assured, Thursday, November 11, the French rear coach Laurent Labit, arguing that “Romain is not sacrificed”.
Facing the Lelos, nickname of the Georgian team, coach Fabien Galthié is counting on the experience acquired against the Pumas and the week of training to make the duo effective. “We take the moments to live together to progress. Romain must improve in his game, communication with Matthieu. Afterwards, it is not two players who will change the team’s game: it is all the players which must adapt to a different organization “, recalled the coach.
A reinforced French pack
Massive forwards with rough play. If Georgia is first famous for its heavy pillars, its captain Merab Sharikadze refuses to summarize the Lelos to this description: “We don’t just want to be physical, but also to deliver quality rugby that everyone enjoys watching. It’s a special game. A good opportunity to show what we are worth.”
However, the Georgian pack remains powerful. And after seeing his players jostled by aggressive Pumas, Fabien Galthié preferred to solidify his pack of forwards. The third row Grégory Alldritt regains its starting place. Entered into play in the last twenty-five minutes against Argentina, the Rochelais had brought all his solidity. Another Rochelais called to strengthen the French pack: the experienced Uini Atonio, who replaces the right pillar Mohamed Haouas.
Georgians on familiar ground
Many Georgians will not be homesick in Bordeaux. Among the 15 holders, Sunday, seven evolve in Top 14. And the Georgian bench has seven other players evolving in the French elite. A significant advantage shown by the coach in the columns of The team, Friday November 12: “They will provide us with valuable information to try to avoid the strengths of the Blues and build on the weak points …”
In total, 56 Georgians play in Top 14 and Pro D2. Unsurprisingly, the majority (68%) occupy a pillar position.
Only one precedent against Georgia
The study of the statistics of the France-Georgia meetings has the merit of being brief. The two teams have faced each other only once: on September 30, 2007, at the Orange-Vélodrome in Marseille. In the group stage of the World Cup, the Blues of Bernard Laporte had crushed the Georgians 64-7, with no less than nine tries. “It was a long time ago. We have since had the opportunity to face top countries and we have progressed“, assured coach Levan Maisashvili.
Georgia suffers from the low frequency of these meetings against top names. And the lack of respondent in the Six Nations B Tournament, a competition she won in March for the thirteenth time. The Lelos remain on a defeat (40-9) against the South African world champions on July 2. After the Blues, they will face Fiji on November 20.