Fabien Galthie’s second album syndrome: Can France back up impressive 2020?

After a cautious, dare-we-hope welcome to Fabien Galthie’s new regime at the beginning of last year — French rugby media and fans have now gone all-in, writes James Harrington in Toulouse

MY WAY: Fabien Galthie faces into his second year with a bright young squad of players willing to play his way. Picture: James Crombie

In little more than a year — 18 months if you include the ‘soft opening’ of his term at the World Cup in Japan — Fabien Galthie has recreated the France senior men’s national side in his image.

He drew a definitive line in the sand straight away, selecting 19 uncapped players in his first extended squad for the 2020 Six Nations opener against England, effectively casting Yoann Huget, Maxime Medard, Rabah Slimani, Wen Lauret, Maxime Machenaud, Sofiane Guitoune, and Camille Lopez into international retirement, whether they were ready to go or not.