Third week collectively, second week of competitors. Scotland week begins—like all match weeks—with good vibes and that little rush of adrenaline that begins to construct. Monday is pretty calm: video periods, restoration, low depth for now.
Then, shortly within the week, comes the staff announcement. There’s at all times that little knot in your abdomen strolling into the room, that suspended second. The names go up—I’m in. Enormous sense of pleasure. Being picked once more, particularly once you’ve had harder durations, is an actual signal of belief. And above all, it’s an awesome likelihood to maintain pushing ahead and making your mark.
Tuesday is at all times a really intense, tightly packed day — it’s our peak workload of the week. This week is a bit uncommon, since we’re heading to La Rochelle on Wednesday. We journey by prepare within the afternoon and arrive on the resort early within the night. That evening, to unwind after the lengthy journey, a couple of of the women began a sport of “Password”. An actual second of staff bonding, with everybody coming collectively in an awesome temper.
Getting there on Wednesday is a bit out of the peculiar. The climate’s good, town’s pretty — it nearly appears like a vacation… however no distractions. The staff responded nicely and stayed centered, tuned in on the proper occasions.
We shortly soaked up the native environment. La Rochelle is actual rugby nation — the whole lot was in place to have a good time.
Thursday morning, we educated in good temper at Apivia Parc. We crossed paths with the professional staff preparing for his or her journey to Clermont. Within the gymnasium, the report bell rings, the grins maintain coming, and the music’s taking part in — a correct work environment, however relaxed.
Within the afternoon, our closing session is open to the general public at Deflandre. It’s our first time seeing the stadium. The coaching is fine quality, stuffed with vitality, boosted by the followers within the stands.
As a kicker, the situations are excellent for me: two periods on the pitch earlier than the match — that’s an actual luxurious. I used to be in a position to get my bearings, one facet on Thursday, the opposite in the course of the Captain’s Run on Friday, with two barely totally different climate situations to adapt to.
Again on the resort, we noticed a bit of cat wandering freely. It got here and settled close to us, letting itself be petted. Cute and calm, it added an sudden contact of gentleness to a full-on day. Its presence relaxed everybody, introduced out smiles, and gave us a quiet little second within the whirlwind of the week.
Friday morning: Captain’s Run. Since we’d already been on the pitch the day earlier than, it already felt a bit like residence. The ultimate run-throughs went easily.
Within the afternoon, we had free time to relaxation and get better. A few of the women managed to dodge the rain and seize a espresso down by the previous port — a pleasant method to take the strain off earlier than sport day.
Within the night, it was time for the jersey presentation, with (Brice) Dulin, (Matthias) Haddad, and a few of the La Rochelle workers becoming a member of us. A easy but highly effective second, in a relaxed and supportive environment. Everybody shared their tales, their recollections, their journeys.
These conversations — stuffed with humility and keenness — actually struck a chord. It was an opportunity to be taught otherwise, to search out inspiration, to attract energy from genuine experiences. A particular second that introduced us even nearer collectively, and a reminder that behind each jersey, there’s a narrative.
Match day. What can I say? How do you even describe an environment like that? Solely the gamers can actually really feel and bear in mind these indescribable feelings. Marcel-Deflandre Stadium — well-known for having among the best crowds in Europe — was completely electrical.
Greater than 16,000 individuals singing La Marseillaise, pushing us ahead on each single play. After each strive, each penalty, 1000’s of voices shouting my identify. Goosebumps. The form of vitality that carries you, from the primary minute to the final.
On the closing whistle, the lap of honour was unforgettable — the feelings nonetheless hanging within the air. It took us half-hour to thank everybody, signal autographs, and take footage with the followers. And even with all that point and our greatest efforts, we nonetheless couldn’t meet each request.
To wrap up this intense block, we had a night with our households — the proper method to shut this chapter.
The day after the match, I made a decision to remain in La Rochelle with my household and revel in a easy, laid-back time. On Sunday morning, we strolled by way of the streets, wandered round.
Then, whereas strolling by way of the market, a lady stopped me: “Are you Morgane Bourgeois? Congratulations, you’ve received an unbelievable boot.”
I used to be stunned, blessed — and a bit of shy too. A quiet, however deep sense of pleasure. A form of recognition that carries a really particular that means.
🏟️🇫🇷 ???? ?????? ! ! 😍#FRAECO #XVdeFrance #NeFaisonsXV@staderochelais #ChezMarcel pic.twitter.com/qtAYF3PMuX
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) March 29, 2025
Heading into the regeneration (fallow) week we loved a well-deserved relaxation. Again to a quieter tempo within the southwest of France to take pleasure in a stunning spring week. On the agenda: relaxation, high quality time with family members, some learning for a couple of, and a little bit of bodily prep on the finish of the week earlier than gathering for the second block.
Forward of dealing with Wales we returned to Marcoussis. Monday afternoon, we’re again — and the whole lot picks up quick. No time to ease in: the primary conferences start as quickly as we settle in. A fast debrief, areas to work on recognized, and our eyes already on what’s coming. Time to refocus — on ourselves, our sport plan, and the problem forward towards Wales.
Tuesday was a giant day. Excessive depth from the beginning, with a standout second: a coaching match towards the South African ladies’s staff. An actual alternative. It’s not day-after-day we get to face a facet we all know little about. It’s a bit like getting ready for the unknown — we don’t know what’s coming, so we now have to adapt and react shortly.
They’re a strong staff, with robust, bodily profiles — very very like what we are able to count on from Wales. So it was a really perfect check, each technically and bodily.
Off the pitch, it was additionally an awesome human expertise. Music taking part in, smiles throughout, heat and straightforward talks — there was a very particular vibe at Marcoussis, fuelled by the variety and mixture of cultures.
The plan was to go away for Brive on Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m. However then — a hitch within the schedule: the prepare was delayed. And never just a bit. We waited, not likely realizing what to do. Checking updates, chatting, passing the time. In the long run, the decision was made: we rang the driving force again — bus it’s. After which, we hit the highway.
The plan was to go away for Brive on Thursday afternoon at 3 p.m. However then — a hitch within the schedule: the prepare was delayed. And never just a bit. In the long run, the decision was made: we rang the driving force again — bus it’s. After which, we hit the highway.
The journey was lengthy — over six hours — and we arrived late. Actually late. Dinner was after midnight, in an environment that felt extra just like the tail finish of an evening out: stinging eyes, simple laughter, barely blurry vitality.
We had been all wiped, so we simply laughed it off — a bit dazed, however collectively. These sorts of hiccups? We reside them in membership rugby each weekend. And in a manner, it’s comforting. It brings us again to actuality.
A correct reminder: we’re not proof against the sudden. We’re not above the on a regular basis chaos. And generally, it’s good to be reminded of that. It retains us grounded — particularly in an setting the place the whole lot is normally deliberate right down to the final element to assist us carry out at our greatest.
🔥 ???????? ????????? avant la rencontre de demain ! 💪
#XVdeFrance #FRAGAL pic.twitter.com/YIvymZ2Ewl— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) April 11, 2025
Friday, we lastly lace up our boots in Brive for the Captain’s Run. First strides on the pitch, closing changes, getting our bearings. The match is getting nearer, and the main target steps up a notch.
That night, it was time for the jersey presentation in Brive, as soon as once more in a symbolic and significant environment. This time, it was an inspiring lady — Mme Rougerie — who had the honour of sharing her journey with us, and the way she fought to reside her ardour.
Then it was my flip to obtain my jersey. Besides… there was a tiny mistake: a misspelling within the identify. I’d change into “Bourgois”, lacking the “e”. Everybody laughed, the jokes began flying, and the temper was mild. Actually, I laughed too.
As a result of ultimately, it’s not concerning the spelling — it’s about what that jersey stands for. Whether or not it says Bourgeois or Bourgois, the pleasure behind it stays the identical.
Matchday. I open the shutters — it’s raining. With kick-off set for 1:45 p.m., the morning flies by. Braids had been achieved the evening earlier than, baggage packed for many of us — everybody’s simply ready, keen to move off. We arrive on the stadium similtaneously the Welsh staff. We allow them to go forward, then stroll by way of a hall of supporters on our method to the altering room.
The timing’s tight. As quickly as we get in, the whole lot begins transferring quick. Being the kicker, I’ve little or no time to vary and start my particular person warm-up. The ball is moist, the situations aren’t splendid, however the vitality from the gang lifts us — and reminds us precisely why we play, and why we prepare all yr for moments like this.
🚍 ??? ?????? ???? ????????? ?? ????? !
Le Stadium Municipal de Brive les accueille pour un duel face au Pays de Galles ! 🔥💪#FRAGAL #XVdeFrance #NeFaisonsXV | @RATPgroup @edenparkparis #frenchflair pic.twitter.com/v0bhTB1pDS
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) April 12, 2025
The match wasn’t simple — powerful collisions, a stop-start rhythm. However ultimately, we got here away with the win. And with the bonus level. For our final sport in France, we wished to profit from the gang, absorb each little bit of vitality we might earlier than two huge away journeys to shut out the match.
The lap of honour was lengthy — tons of of autographs, numerous photographs. Individuals requested me for my jersey, as they typically do. However this time, that little spelling mistake that had made me chortle the day earlier than truly inspired me to offer it away. It simply felt proper, and I did it with pleasure.
Considering again on it, I realise that as a child, I’d’ve dreamed of getting a jersey from a global participant too. And on Saturday, lots of us gave ours away. A small gesture for us — however one that may deliver a lot happiness to the following technology.
😍 ?????? ??????? !
Merci aux supporters pour votre soutien ! 🫶
#NeFaisonsXV #XVdeFrance #FRAGAL pic.twitter.com/uG31ikMqSJ— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) April 12, 2025
Right now, it’s our flip to encourage, to go issues on — and that makes me comfortable. As soon as all these nice moments had been over, it was off to the anti-doping check for me. Not fairly as enjoyable, however simply as necessary. I waited within the locker room, ingesting total bottles of water.
And naturally, I ended up being the final one within the altering room. Fast bathe, dress in a flash, and I rushed off to hitch my teammates on the post-match reception. Not lengthy after, the bus headed again to the resort, the place our family members had been ready to share a stunning night with us… (to be continued)
