It has been a long 11 year wait for France to come this close to winning the Six Nations rugby tournament. As the coach Fabien Galthie has made it very clear that he does not want impatient to effect the performance of his players in the final against Scotland
It will not be an easy win for the French side as they have to beat Scotland with a four try bonus point and a 21 point margin. This has happened before in 2007 where France projected brilliant numbers against Scotland. Galthie has made it known to his team that he does not want them to stress about the mental mathematics of the numbers they need to win while they are playing.
Galthie says “The key is to play well and win, the rest will depend on how the match goes. We shouldn’t lose sight of what we need to do, what’s most important is to focus on our performance and victory, our ability to build a win. But (Scotland) also have their ambitions because if they win by eight points they will finish second, which hasn’t happened to them for a long time.”
Scotland also hasn’t made it to the finals of the 6 nations in a while. Scotland’s final performance will hugely depend on well they can keep out of the French attack. Although Wales held it against France till the end Galthie seems to think that Scotland will be much tougher to beat. Galthie says “They (Scotland) have the best defense in the tournament, they’re very well organized and disciplined, very tactical and strategic.”
Galthie will do what it takes for France to bring home the win. He made some changes as he dropped winger Teddy Thomas, recalled Arthur Vincent to the centers and moved stalwart Gael Fickou from center to left wing. He has also replaced Willemse but changed both of his locks anyway, going with Bernard Le Roux and Swan Rebbadj.
Scotland has made four changes after routing Italy 52-10, including restoring first-choice halves Ali Price and France-based Finn Russell, center Chris Harris, and hooker George Turner. Adam Hastings returned from suspension to be the backup fly half.
This match was postponed from Feb. 28 because of an outbreak in the French camp, but because it’s now outside the international window, Scotland was restricted to just five players from English clubs and couldn’t pick Lions back Sean Maitland and backup prop Jamie Bhatti.
Scotland spoiled France’s Grand Slam chances — and ultimately its championship hopes — last year at Murray field with a gritty 28-17 win. But in Paris it hasn’t beaten France in 22 years.
“As a group we have faced several challenges throughout this Six Nations, it has brought us closer together,” Townsend says. “I know the players are motivated and looking forward to representing their country again on Friday night.”
