2023 World Cup/XV of France – Gaël Fickou: “Jonathan Danty is ready. He is in good shape and he wants to play”

How important is it to get back on track after the lackluster match against Uruguay?

It was indeed an average copy. We could have done better but we won this match and that’s the most important thing. Now, we have got rid of this match and we are therefore preparing to face Namibia. In Marseille, we will have to put on the best possible match.

You haven’t played since the opening match. Do you now need to find your rhythm again?

Every year, we are used to playing a series of matches in the championship, the European Cup or the 6 Nations Tournament. It doesn’t bother us. We are all looking forward to playing.

How do you judge Jonathan Danty, who should return to the center of the field on Thursday evening, alongside you?

He is in good shape, he wants to play. I think he’s finally ready to enter the competition.

Was the start of the competition frustrating for you, from an offensive point of view?

There are plenty of possible improvements. Opposing teams have analyzed us a lot in recent years; that plays a role, too. It’s up to us to adapt but I’m not worried. Little by little, we will gain strength.

After playing in Lille against Uruguay, you will return to Aix-en-Provence tomorrow to spend two weeks there. Is it also important to go to the provinces?

Obviously. We will try to make the most of it. Fabien (Galthié) tells us all the time that we have to take advantage of everything we experience. So we will make the most of all these magnificent cities, all these wonderful places.

The French defense has suffered a few attempts in recent weeks. Is this worrying?

There have recently been defensive errors but I think we are within the standards compared to the other teams: two tries conceded against New Zealand is not catastrophic. . Uruguay? They kick a little, play a lot… I’m not sure our defense is a weak point, on the contrary.

Do you watch the other matches in the competition?

Yes of course. We look a lot at Ireland, South Africa, Scotland… We follow their journeys. We are watching them to potentially anticipate this future quarter-final.