2027 Rugby World Cup: “Our ambition is to be world champions”, announces Fabien Galthié after the draw

He said he was happy, and that’s already a sign. A full hour after attending in a small group the draw for the next World Cup in Australia (October 1 – November 13, 2027), the coach of the Blues presented himself at noon sharp this Wednesday in the auditorium of TF 1 (Paris XVI), the broadcaster of the competition. Happy therefore, but above all impatient and already planning on the event and on this potential semi-final against South Africa, New Zealand or Australia. Because before, the road seems rather clear with a group E where Japan, the United States and Samoa should not pose too many problems for its players. With a possible eighth against Scotland, a quarter against Fiji, the Blues can hope to see far. Fabien Galthié too. “Our ambition is to be world champions,” he said. Forever the first. »

The group of the XV of France seems easy…

Being seeded (5th), we could have thought that we would have an affordable draw. This route would potentially take us to the semi-final where we would meet Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. Between them, there are nine world champion titles (4 for the Springboks, 3 for the All Blacks, 2 for the Wallabies) which are found in our part of the table.

Does facing weaker teams allow you to get into the competition better?

A World Cup is a long time. It is the longest sporting event, even longer than a football World Cup. It’s almost a two-month, seven-match competition for those who make it to the final. Regarding our group, we have already played against Japan and we will go to Tokyo next summer. I remember facing the United States in 1991. As for Samoa, we don’t come across them often. It’s an affordable draw but we have to respect our opponents.

“Given the potential route, it’s grandiose”

Are you happy with this feeling inside you?

Attending the draw for a World Cup is something. It stirs feelings mixed with the joy of competing in this competition. Considering the potential course, with this semi-final in focus, it is grandiose.

How are you going to approach this competition with this first round without any major obstacles?

We already know that between the Top 14 final and our preparation, we will have two more weeks, that is to say a month of rest for the players who played in the final. Then, even if we won’t reveal them until about a month from now, there will be three very good preparation matches in Europe and then we will leave early for Australia to acclimatize to the time difference. That’s about five months that we will live for this event.

Are these three preparation matches your wish?

Yes because we don’t play a lot. If we look ahead, there will be seventeen or eighteen matches from now until the World Cup. It’s not much. So it’s interesting to play three preparation matches. It’s consistent, neither too much nor too little, knowing that there will be rotations. Matches allow us to resolve problems, that’s when we see what’s wrong. Training is good, but it doesn’t replace it.

Will South Africa be the bogeyman of the competition?

Australia and New Zealand should not be ruled out. Today, South Africa is number 1 and is a leader in world rugby. It’s grandiose for us.

The world hierarchy may change between now and then…

I don’t think she’ll move too much. We’ll see, but in my opinion, it won’t change much.

“This is the opportunity to forever be the first”

The French XV has not played in a semi-final since 2011, don’t you have even more pressure to achieve it with this easy table?

We always have pressure. The French team has never won this competition, that’s what we have to see.

Do you think you can win it?

Yes. I am clear. Our ambition is to be world champions. It will be very difficult to reach this holy grail, but for us potentially, it is the opportunity to forever be the first.

Do you hope to count on more premium players during the next tour while the renewal of the agreement between the French Federation and the National League is currently being discussed?

It’s a political subject. It no longer belongs to me today. This belongs to French rugby. But I am optimistic and confident.

“We must continue to create emulation”

How did you judge the return of Antoine Dupont last Saturday in the Top 14?

He played for a good half hour, it went pretty well. Circumstances meant that Racing was at 14 or 13. It’s always very special to start again nine months later. Antoine had not bandaged his knee. Often we do it to reassure ourselves. This bodes well for him, for Stade Toulouse and for the future.

You will enter the next Six Nations Tournament as defending champion…

The last double achieved by the XV of France was in 1997 and 1998. For us, it’s interesting. With a very special schedule playing on a Thursday evening (February 5) in the opening against Ireland. We must not forget what we did for four weeks this fall. We must continue to create emulation. It’s time to challenge emulation.