Ruthless Galthie will be out to crush Italy
The Rugby Paper|February 09, 2020
BEFORE the 2020 Six Nations began there was widespread speculation that Fabian Galthie would start almost all of his outstanding crop of youngsters and newcomers against Italy, but in a welcome sign that today always matters more than tomorrow, the France coach has gone with his strongest possible line-up.
BRENDAN GALLAGHER
Ruthless Galthie will be out to crush Italy

It sends out a powerful message. France are strictly on business and all the talk of RWC2023 is way too premature. Winning this season’s Six Nations is the only thing occupying their minds and Galthie wants his first XV on the park at all times. Quite right too.

The only change from the side that jolted French rugby back into life against England last week is an enforced one with Montpellier’s Arthur Vincent, a double World Cup winner with France U20 and indeed the captain last year, coming in for Virimi Vakatawa who injured a tricep at the Stade de France on Sunday. Otherwise it is as you were as France look to get their premier XV bedded down before the visit to Wales later this month.

Historically France, even though they have won 18 of their 20 Six Nations encounters against Italy, don’t always produce their A game against their Mediterranean neighbours who seem to niggle away and bring out the worst in them.

There were those two defeats in Rome in 2011 and 2013 while France escaped humiliation at the Stade de France in 2016 when Italy really should have claimed a famous win only for Sergio Parisse to fluff a last minute drop goal attempt. As always with France, its mostly psychological. They regard Italy as a vastly inferior team, a side they should always beat and the result a foregone conclusion.

Often in the past they have played for 30 minutes, built an unassailable lead and then ‘declared’ – unwilling to keep pushing their bodies any further. Why should they? The season is long and their clubs would be wanting their pound of flesh the moment they got back from international duty.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 09, 2020 من The Rugby Paper.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 09, 2020 من The Rugby Paper.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من THE RUGBY PAPER مشاهدة الكل
Morris hat-trick lifts Steelmen
The Rugby Paper

Morris hat-trick lifts Steelmen

HOOKER Ieuan Morris came off the bench to settle matters for Ebbw Vale at Carmarthen Quins with his stunning second half hat-trick completing a 39-11 victory in Super Rygbi Cymru.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Joe keen to follow in family footsteps
The Rugby Paper

Joe keen to follow in family footsteps

JOE Ford is leading the charge to take Doncaster Knights to the promised land but says they have a long way to go before that becomes reality.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Robson keen to make it to the top with Coventry
The Rugby Paper

Robson keen to make it to the top with Coventry

COVENTRY ended the first five-match block of fixtures as the Championship’s only unbeaten side and full-back Charlie Robson has his sights set on promotion, and eventually playing for England.

time-read
1 min  |
October 27, 2024
Hancox joins the 200 club
The Rugby Paper

Hancox joins the 200 club

AFTER 10 years of donning the red, black and yellow shirt for Bournemouth, skipper Grant Hancox made his 200th appearance this month after their Regional 2 South Central clash against Winchester.

time-read
1 min  |
October 27, 2024
Bear keen to be a big hit Down Under
The Rugby Paper

Bear keen to be a big hit Down Under

FORMER Cornish Pirates back row Bear Williams has flourished in making the difficult transition from rugby union to league and has plans to play in Australia’s NRL. `

time-read
2 mins  |
October 27, 2024
To play in two World Cups was a dream
The Rugby Paper

To play in two World Cups was a dream

RUGBY started quite late for me.

time-read
6 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Call time on this pantomime ploy
The Rugby Paper

Call time on this pantomime ploy

THIS 60-second shot clock twaddle. If we must continue to plough down this blind alley it needs to apply from the moment the referee awards the penalty. If the authorities are going to put some stick about at least do it properly and with conviction.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Coetzee's pulling his weight again
The Rugby Paper

Coetzee's pulling his weight again

WHETHER he starts or comes off the bench, Jaco Coetzee is just happy to be contributing fully to Bath’s revival after an injury-hit start to his career in blue, black and white.

time-read
2 mins  |
October 27, 2024
Murray's on a wing - and a prayer ...
The Rugby Paper

Murray's on a wing - and a prayer ...

BLAIR Murray began the week ‘in a state of shock’ at having gone from nowhere on one side of the world to the starting grid for the autumn Tests on the other.

time-read
3 mins  |
October 27, 2024
We need to kick on after winning at last
The Rugby Paper

We need to kick on after winning at last

Paul Rees talks to Ethan Grayson who heard from two rugby legends after he helped Newcastle end their 25-match losing run

time-read
5 mins  |
October 27, 2024