The French national rugby team, commonly known as the Blues, is set to face Argentina in their final match of the summer tour amidst a storm of controversies. After securing victories against Argentina (28-13) and Uruguay (43-28), the Blues are gearing up for the last showdown on Saturday. However, the team is grappling with severe off-field issues that have cast a shadow over their preparations.
Melvyn Jaminet, the fullback for Rugby Club Toulonnais, has been excluded from the group following the release of a racist video on the night of the Argentina-France match. The club management is set to interview Jaminet, which may lead to further sanctions. Adding to the turmoil, players Oscar Jégou and Hugo Auradou were indicted in Mendoza, Argentina, following a woman's complaint of violent rape. The two players remain in detention, facing potential prison sentences ranging from eight to twenty years.
The French Rugby Federation is also under scrutiny, with the collective 'Passionnément Rugby et La Voix des Clubs' demanding an administrative investigation into the allegations against Jégou and Auradou. Despite these challenges, the team is focusing on their upcoming match. 'It’s not the best preparation,' admitted Blues captain Baptiste Serin, emphasizing the team's determination to give their all in the final battle of the year.
Coach Fabien Galthié echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging the difficult preparation conditions. 'These are very difficult preparation conditions, with half the team in Uruguay, back and forth, preparing for the match… We are going through very special moments. It is a complex preparation,' Galthié said. The coach has decided to field a reshuffled team for the second match against Argentina, with Judicaël Cancoriet and Mickaël Guillard replacing Jégou and Auradou. Newcomers Romain Briatte, Léo Berdeu, Killian Tixeront, and Baptiste Jauneau are set to experience their first selection.
The controversies have undeniably impacted the team’s morale. 'The impact on the group is real. It’s a trauma, a cataclysm,' Galthié commented. Despite the emotional toll, the team is determined to end the tour on a high note. 'The first success is victory,' added Galthié, expressing hope for a positive outcome in their final match.
The French Rugby Federation President, Florian Grill, emphasized that rugby is secondary to the ongoing issues. 'Rugby is anecdotal, everything else is incidental,' Grill stated, highlighting the gravity of the off-field events. The team’s mental state remains a concern, but efforts have been made to address the psychological aspects. 'We really did a collective job. We also have mental trainers who accompany us. This is an area in which we invested a lot this week,' Galthié revealed.
As the Blues prepare for their final match against the Argentinian Pumas, the focus remains on overcoming the challenges and delivering a strong performance. The team hopes to conclude the tour with a victory, bringing some solace amidst the turmoil. The starting XV for the match includes Barré, Attissogbe, Gailleton, Frisch, Etien, Hastoy, Serin (captain), Cancoriet, Joseph, Nouchi, Pesenti, Guillard, Colombe, Barlot, and Gros. Substitutes include Baubigny, S. Taofifenua, Bamba, Tuilagi, Briatte, Tixeront, Jauneau, and Berdeu.
