Why Damian Penaud Should Not Be Aligned Against Italy
Laurent Sempéré: "We are considering several solutions. A group of 42 players has been preparing for the match and have been living together for four weeks. Theo (Attissogbe) has performed well, and Damian played in the Top 14 last weekend (he was actually one of the 19 protected players and did not play with the UBB, editor’s note). We take all that into account…"
Why was Matthieu Jalibert absent from training on Tuesday?
Laurent Sempéré: "He is suffering. We hope to have him back tomorrow…"
Can we talk about a break in the management of players? Is there no longer any status, no more protected players?
Laurent Sempéré: "It’s really not a break! We have a process, a method that we believe in. For several months now, we have been taking into account the performances and the form of the players. That’s what dictates our choices. Changes, yes, but not a break. There is continuity in our method."
But all the players have been put back into competition…
Laurent Sempéré: "I wouldn’t say put back. There is competition and it is essential to keep it. Every player has ups and downs. The most valuable thing is to feel it and dose it before each match…"
Have you conducted an explanation on the reasons for the defeat in England?
Laurent Sempéré: "We needed to ‘clean up’ at the beginning of the week. So, we looked back at the match without hiding anything under the rug. We were demanding on sectors of the game that are less visible (than defense, editor’s note) but where we need to progress. This defeat has highlighted them."
Which ones?
Laurent Sempéré: "Technical details in the finishing, in the reception of kick-offs, and in the high balls. We are aware that we have room for improvement. This group has the capacity to criticize itself but also, it should be noted, the maturity to not question everything."
What is the state of mind of the players after this defeat that sounded the death knell for a Grand Slam?
Laurent Sempéré: "The mental aspect is essential after this defeat. All the more so because it was followed by a week without a match where the time seemed very long… That’s why on Monday, we started with an emotional recovery for the players and thus projected ourselves in the best possible conditions for what awaits us in Rome."
Do the players seem to you to be piqued by this failure?
Laurent Sempéré: "It’s always difficult to talk about state of mind so far away from the match… What matters is the reaction, the behavior during the match. The answer will come on Sunday. I can only tell you that losing in England was a huge disappointment for everyone."
Among the disappointments of Twickenham, there is the contribution of the bench which was not what was expected.
Laurent Sempéré: "Yes, it brought a bit less than against Wales. Hence the need to bring the emulation there too. It’s an important part of our decisions."
With, for the first time, a bench of seven forwards and only one three-quarter in Rome as seen during training on Tuesday?
Laurent Sempéré: "It’s a coaching option like any other, which adapts to a vision of the match scenario. It allows you to coach almost position for position in front. It’s an option that’s being considered, yes, but not yet decided."
An option that, with the only scrum-half on the bench, involves risks if a three-quarter gets injured.
Laurent Sempéré: "Every option presents risks. A 7-1 bench requires thinking about things differently, with forwards who may be called upon to play behind during the match (the third lines Oscar Jegou and Paul Boudehent played at center during training on Tuesday, editor’s note)."
In the second row, there will be a change against Italy…
Laurent Sempéré: "Meafou’s injury forces us to change the pair, yes. Mickaël Guillard is a modern second row with a hybrid profile who can play all positions from 4 to 8. He is on two very good seasons with Lyon and has responded present to each of his entries with us. He is growing in this group and is taking more and more space. His versatility changes our vision."
