Between memories, pride and promises. Saturday evening, by dominating England (25-13) during the final day of the Six Nations Tournament, Saturday March 19, the Blues of Fabien Galthié won the title in an incandescent Stade de France. Undefeated, they especially seized a Grand Slam that the Tricolores had been waiting for since 2010, plunging the world of French ovality into a delicious mixture of enthusiasm and relief. Feelings shared by the supporters as by the former French glories who had achieved this feat before. Three of them, Erik Bonneval, Olivier Magne, Xavier Garbajosa, as well as Raphaël Ibanez (current general manager of the Blues) returned to franceinfo: sport on this feat and what it represents for a player.
The tears of joy of Antoine Dupont and his long embrace with his club buddies, Cyril Baille, then Julien Marchand or even the contained emotion of an almost haggard Cameron Woki, struggling to find his words to best describe the feat , are all scenes that allowed, already on Saturday evening, to measure in part the greatness of the moment. “It’s something special”confirms Erik Bonneval, three-quarter center and top scorer of the 1987 Grand Slam, won alongside Pierre Berbizier and Philippe Sella. “He remains engraved for life. It’s a great moment of joy, of pride, a bit like a club titlesupports Xavier Garbajosa, versatile three-quarters of the XV of France and winner of the 2002 Grand Slam. As much in the club, we spend a lot of time together, as much in the national team, having the chance to win a major title remains rare and lasting memories.
“It’s the culmination of something. Beyond winning a Tournament without any defeat, there is a form of pressure, of performance, which is important and which you have to know how to manage. Winning a Tournament happens, a Grand Slam is still exceptional.”
Xavier Garbajosa, versatile three-quarter of the Blues (1998-2003)at franceinfo: sports
In case you still doubted it, a Grand Slam is not anecdotal, far from it. Along with the World Cup, it is one of the two major titles that European players have dreamed of for decades. “For our generation (1987), it was only the fourth French Grand Slam, something still quite rare. Winning a Tournament didn’t really have any value, I think we won it in 86 , we weren’t making a big deal out of it. The challenge was to beat everyone. That was historic.”, says Erik Bonneval. “The goal was the Grand Slam, later in the 2000s, the nations switched to winning the Tournament”, abounds Olivier Magne, third line wing who has lived four Grand Slams (1997,1998, 2002, 2004). A change in approach due “to increase the overall level of the teams” for Xavier Garbajosa and Olivier Magne.
“Making the Grand Slam is a crucial step in a player’s career, these are moments that mark for life and deeply strengthen ties. The most revealing example is that with the winners of the Grand Slam 2002, it goes back 20 years, we met the day before this France-England to meet again.
Raphaël Ibanez, general manager of the Blues and player (1996-2007)at franceinfo: sports
If over the years, the feat has become rarer and all the more precious, one thing has not changed: a Grand Slam is an important marker in the construction of a team. “These are rare moments that stay with you in the future and bind you together in the present”confirms Olivier Magne. “In 87, we had just beaten the Blacks, the World Cup was coming, there was a mixture of young and old, it was the start of a generation. Behind, we made the World Cup final. there is a small parallel with this team”, continues Erik Bonneval. “When we win, we strengthen the bonds. It is the culmination of a perfect functioning in a group from a human point of view: sharing, sacrifice, solidarity. And we see it on the field. Until then, this team was not titled, but it inspires us, it makes us widen our eyes, we take pleasure in following it. Validating these impressions with a title was essential“, adds Xavier Garbajosa.
“Succeeding in twisting everyone is very complicated, but it gives you enormous confidence to tackle matches in the future. And it plays morally on your opponents. Everything has to be aligned. There is the game, the coaches, the smooth functioning between the clubs and the federation. After that, it’s not an end in itself, it’s only the beginning.”
Erik Bonneval, three quarters of the Blues (1984-1988)at franceinfo: sports
For French rugby, former glories as supporters, this Grand Slam has a very special flavor. The 2022 vintage is all the more important as it puts an end to a 12-year long drought without a title. The Blues of Antoine Dupont have especially reconnected with their public who were waiting for the slightest spark to ignite. It is this incredible communion that holds Xavier Garbajosa, present at the Stade de France on Saturday evening. “An immense pleasure to see all these fans in turmoil, happy, proud, moved. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen a performing French team. For ten years, we’ve been looking for ourselves a little bit. is interesting, it is progressing and it is carried by young people with values that make them deeply endearing.”
Faced with such success, it’s hard not to get caught up in dreaming. The 2023 World Cup in France is on everyone’s mind. “They gave me the banana like a lot of people. I know some who have played with my sons, in particular the people of Toulouse, I am all the happier for them. They have given a lot in training, on the pitch for years. years. Above all, they were expected and they responded present. There will be another tournament, then the World Cup. We just want to see what happens next.”concludes Erik Bonneval.