While Shaun Edwards is about to leave his position as assistant and Gérald Bastide should take over this summer, the thinking heads of the France team have contacted several specialists in the defensive sector in view of the World Cup in Australia.
Fabien Galthié and his management are currently preparing for the summer tour with, on the program, a preparation match against England A, on June 19 in Vannes, then the first three games of the Nations Championship against New Zealand, Australia and Japan, scheduled for July 4, 11 and 18.
At the same time, the staff is also working to adjust its internal organization. For this summer, the matter appears to be settled. In office since 2019, the Englishman Shaun Edwards, long considered a major element of the sporting project, should no longer be in the game. As already mentioned, Gérald Bastide, 52, is expected in the short term to take charge of the defensive activities of the XV of France. The former coach, who had already held this position between 2015 and 2017 during the Guy Novès era, knows the federal environment perfectly. After experiences in Perpignan then with the French women’s team since last January, he has the advantage of already being under contract with the FFR. At the same time, managers continue to explore this position to find a medium-term solution.
What future for Laussucq?
Several technicians currently working in the Top 14 were surveyed and even met. This is the case of Geoffrey Doumayrou, whose work within the MHR is praised by all. It will be necessary to remove the contractual obstacle to obtain his commitment. Which, according to these recent statements from Mohed Altrad, will not be easy: “We won’t let him go. I’m not kidding, we won’t let him go. Loan Geoffrey for a few months, why not, but Geoffrey won’t leave Montpellier just yet. He’s a great coach, who understood how to organize a defense so that no attacker gets through.” Still, exchanges recently took place between the former center and the thinking heads of the Blues. Christophe Laussucq is also part of the short-list. The last deputy of Yannick Bru not to have extended his commitment, he could leave Gironde without delay. In an interview with South WestLaurent Marti had opened the door to a departure, a year before the end of his commitment. Usap, looking for a successor to Joe Worsley, had contacted him but the approach was not expected to be successful. Two other technicians stationed in Top 14 would be considered by the FFR.
