Fab: Don’t talk about the score
France v Italy
Today, 3pm
FABIEN GALTHIE is pleading for patience in the next stage of his youthful side’s development as France prepare to host Italy in the Six Nations.
Fresh from outclasssing England in their opening game in Paris, the France head coach does not want his players to take a backward step against the Azzurri today.
But Galthie played down the significance of one eyecatching result and is looking beyond the Six Nations and to the next World Cup.
He said: “We don’t talk about the score, the tries, the points difference or the show. We talk about the feeling and the objective is a sincere satisfaction.
“The consistency and the vision is something we are building and we have shown the players it did not stop on February 2.
“What we share with the players will last until 2023, and for this competition goes until March 14.
“February 2 was just a step. It was an essential and important step.”
Whipping boys Italy opened their campaign with a 42-0 loss to Wales to extend their winless streak to 23 games in this tournament.
But interim boss Franco Smith refused to rip into the side that laboured in Cardiff.
He said: “We are putting a new team together. We are like France, we are starting over and playing maybe in a different way.
“There’s a new coach and new ideas so we can’t point the finger at individuals. The first sign of a team getting better is when they start making use of the opportunities. I’m sure we will have our opportunities.”
Italy’s hopes could hinge on keeping France scrum-half Antoine Dupont quiet after he shined against England and set up Charles Ollivon’s second try.
Smith added: “He is really somebody who we look out for. He is the heartbeat of the attack and the heartbeat of the French pack.”