Fabien Galthie: 'For 50 minutes we forgot it was Ireland we were playing'

Les Bleus started as they mean to go with a convincing opening-night win. 

France head coach Fabien Galthié. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Time and again Fabien Galthie stressed that it was Ireland his French team had been playing.

Not some second tier nation, or an Italy or a Wales that was habitually under their thumb. It was an Ireland team that had proved such a prickly opponent for them and for others for so damn long.

It’s not that he took any heat at the post-match press conference after watching his side sweep to a 36-14 opening Six Nations win but when imperfections were mentioned his stock retort was to mention the quality of the opposition.

“It’s the Irish team we were playing,” he explained at one point. “They are number three in the world ranking, let's not forget, but for 50 minutes we forgot it was Ireland we were playing.

“I said not everything would be perfect, it is never perfect. We have to be humble, accept we make mistakes at times. It happened but not very often if you think of everything positive in this match.” The focus on the green side of the fence is to look at this game and wring hands at the manner in which Ireland were outclassed by a host team that looked back to its very best at times as they romped to a five-try, five-star display.

For the French, it seems as if the very identity of the opposition is only adding to the satisfaction.

“When we were at 29-0 it was very surprising for us,” said Antoine Dupont. “It is always a very tough game when we play Ireland. They always kick a lot but we had done well on the high ball and that’s why the score was as it was. We started the game very well and we kept this dynamic for almost 80 minutes.” 

Dupont, back after his long-term injury, played a pivotal role alongside his out-half Matthieu Jalibert on the back of so much discussion as to whether these two alpha males could gel in the same team at the same time.

“I felt really well and I think it showed. We were able to alternate between the front row and back row. It was very accurate technically and we made passes and played on the outside. So it is very positive, although we had a difficult time at one stage, but every positive.” Galthie went further.

“I agree with Antoine. As far as attack with the ball, the team played really well. It's one of the best performances in attack we have shown in a long time in spite of bad weather conditions, between kicking and play through the hand.”