We know our words will spark debate, and so much the better. There was no spectacular revolution in this announcement, despite three big names left out and sacrificed on the altar of novelty, namely Fickou, Penaud and Alldritt. Nothing less than that! And yet, reading closely the first list of 42 players who will prepare for the Six Nations, something has changed. Or rather, something has asserted itself. Fabien Galthié is continuing his work, but he is hardening its edges. The 2026 version of France does not disown its talent, but perhaps it frames it. It is beefing up its game, thickening its player profiles and its guiding line, and seems to be looking at the model over in South Africa… Why?

The first signal is in the numbers. Not everyone will agree, but the pool of forwards has never looked so deep, so consistent, so athletic. Especially in the back row. And that is despite the poor form of some and the injuries of others. Powerful and mobile props, hardened at the very top level, locks who are both heavy and mobile, back-rowers (what a pool, if you please!) capable of repeating collisions and jackals without losing effectiveness. The priority is clear: win the gain line, wear the opposition down, impose a physical tempo. As South Africa know so well how to do, France want to dominate up front first in order to then send in the cavalry out wide. The basics of rugby, in a way. And, in the end, not a great deal that is new in the Galthié plan.

A question of inspiration

That choice nevertheless confirms that the France staff have not given up on flair, but are providing a genuine answer to the modern game. The Springboks have shown the way: a secure set piece, a suffocating defence, a surgical kicking game and the ability to swing a match on small details. Galthié and his staff have understood that, we believe. So why not take inspiration from it? In this list, almost every position has a back-up with a similar profile. The competition is head-on and openly acknowledged, but it hints at a form of continuity. Except at fly-half, where the Ntamack and Jalibert profiles are diametrically opposed.

That direction is also found in the handling of the three-quarter line. Purely creative profiles, more complete players, solid under the high ball and in contact, capable of defending hard in midfield and of playing without frills at frightening speed. From Kolbe to LBB, from Arandse to Attissogbe, from Kriel to Deporterre, from De Allende to Moefana… The profiles are relatively close. Here too, the inspiration is South African, isn’t it?

Loading...
Legend
Mainland France
Overseas France (DOM-TOM)
Abroad

Players

0

The equation is simple: secure before accelerating, control before releasing. And all of it with a kicking game as effective as South Africa’s (if not more so). That leaves the tactical side, which remains the Springboks’ deadly weapon… and which hurt France so much again this autumn. On that point, Galthié’s men have changed their style of play several times. A versatility in itself, even if the chosen model does not always suit the opposition. The fact remains that if you look at the short term and in particular the match against Ireland, the “South African” style of play is an option, a real option. A blueprint already used by France in Dublin last year, in fact, with a most pleasing result.

A culture of demanding standards

That said, reducing this France team to a simple copy of the Springboks would be a mistake. Attempting the comparison – and the provocation – may well be one too. The difference lies in the technical richness of the French players. Even within a more constrained framework, the talent shows through. The ability to keep the ball alive, to create in the tightest of spaces, remains intact. It is simply that it is now expressed within a stricter, more methodical framework. Chaos is no longer sought after, it is perhaps provoked.

France seem to be sitting on a throne – since they are still the defending champions – of stability, but also of assertion. The great promises must now be turned into titles. The Six Nations is no longer a laboratory, but an immediate objective. So yes, it has been the same tune for a few years now. By widening his squad to 42 players, Galthié is preparing the present as much as the future, cultivating a culture of demanding standards and controlled rotation, in the image of the great dominant nations.

Our view: France are moving forward, then, solid, sure of their strengths, ready to accept hard, closed, sometimes thankless matches. A France side that knows how to win in another way, a different way. A France side that, without disowning its identity, is finally agreeing to speak the universal language of winning rugby: that of power, discipline, pressure and efficiency. South African style, yes. But with a French accent. Has Rassie Erasmus definitively got inside the head of our Fabien Galthié?

The France XV we can well see starting against Ireland:

  1. Baille, 2. Marchand, 3. Atonio ; 4. Guillard, 5. Meafou ; 6. Cros, 8. Jelonch, 7. Boudehent ; 9. Dupont (capt), 10. Jalibert ; 11. LBB, 12. Moefana, 13. Deporterre, 14. Attissogbe, 15. Ramos.

Finishers : 16. Mauvaka, 17. Gros, 18. Tatafu, 19. Ollivon, 20. Jegou, 21. Matiu, 22. Serin, 23. Gourgues