Heartbreaks shaped France’s Six Nations triumph, says coach Fabien Galthie

PARIS – The French rugby team’s heartbreaking defeat in the 2023 World Cup quarter-finals and their 2024 Six Nations runners-up spot shaped their success in the 2025 tournament, coach Fabien Galthie said on March 15.

Les Bleus turned on the power after a shaky first half to beat Scotland 35-16 and wrap up their first Six Nations title since 2022, beating several records on a festive Parisian night.

“I don’t know if it makes up for the World Cup (elimination), but we’re very happy to win this trophy,” centre Yoram Moefana said, referring to France’s 29-28 loss to eventual champions South Africa on home soil at the last World Cup.

Moefana scored two tries with Thomas Ramos and Louis Bielle-Biarrey adding one each, as France prevailed with a bonus point to finish one ahead of England with a much better points difference and a record 30 tries in the campaign.

Galthie, who has transformed the squad since taking over in 2020, believes that tough times have helped them grow.

“We are not putting anything behind. We’re keeping the good, and the bad memories,” the former France captain said.

“This team are much better than in 2023, and better than last year.”

France had finished second in the Six Nations four times in five years and they could have come up just short once again after losing 26-25 to England at Twickenham after wasting a string of try chances in the first half.

Les Bleus, however, bounced back by destroying Italy before a pivotal game against Grand Slam-chasing Ireland, whom they beat 42-27 in Dublin despite losing talisman Antoine Dupont to a season-ending knee injury.

“We have been building a squad who are able to react in chaotic situations like they did after the England game and during the Ireland match,” added Galthie.

“The game against Ireland was pivotal because they were playing for the Grand Slam and we were playing to stay in contention.”

France kept their composure and with a 7-1 bench, reminiscent of South Africa’s in their fourth World Cup triumph in 2023, they used their forward power to crush Ireland and set up a decider against Scotland at the Stade de France.

On March 15, they overcame the pressure on them to deliver in a fine second half.

“The pressure crept up on us,” Galthie said. “We prepared without pressure but then we got tense and Scotland were playing freely, with nothing in mind but playing good rugby.”

It all went France’s way eventually and they are now hungry for more.

“All we wanted was to see Antoine Dupont lift the trophy,” said Gregory Alldritt, who was captain in the star’s absence.

“It’s done. We’ve had difficult moments in the past. To say that it’s behind us, we’ll have to wait for (the) 2027 (World Cup). See you next year, we want more.”

Next up in the immediate future is a daunting summer tour of New Zealand, with three Tests against the All Blacks in July.

Meetings between France and the All Blacks are part of rugby folklore, especially at World Cups. However, Les Bleus have beaten New Zealand on their own turf just four times since their first visit in 1961. REUTERS, AFP