After a rescheduled match with Bordeaux, the seven of us from the Gironde squad arrived at INSEP (the Nationwide Institute of Sport, Experience and Efficiency) on the night of Sunday, March 9. The remainder of the group joined us the next day, trickling in, choosing up their room keys, and getting settled earlier than gathering for the opening assembly.
That first assembly units the scene, lays out the objectives, and formally kicks off the match. Shared glances, smiles, and the enjoyment of being again collectively—reunion vibes throughout.
Our identification: all about defence
We shortly settle again into coaching and begin rebuilding connections—on the sector and off. The main focus is obvious: defence. Each day tackling periods, a return to our identification, and above all, rekindling that fireplace to defend onerous. The periods are intense, filled with focus and precision. The objective couldn’t be clearer: construct a rock-solid defence. That’s the important thing to structuring a recreation, a marketing campaign… and above all, getting ready for the Irish.
INSEP isn’t precisely designed for workforce bonding. The rooms, the widespread areas, the coaching fields—every thing’s scattered and takes some critical organisation. However regardless of the setup, the group sticks collectively and trains with actual self-discipline. Being in a spot like INSEP can also be an actual supply of motivation. Within the eating corridor, you may stumble upon sporting icons like Joan-Benjamin Gaba—who lit up the final Olympics—or Benoît Saint-Denis. And in these moments, we’re simply followers once more, soaking all of it in. Watching them, seeing how they evolve, how skilled they’re… it’s each humbling and severely inspiring.
Friday: Off to Marcoussis
After 5 strong days of centered work, Friday marks our transfer from INSEP to Marcoussis. The lads’s workforce has cleared out—it’s our flip to settle into the Rugby Centre. We slide proper again into our routines: everybody finds their room once more, whether or not it’s lakeside or close to the canteen, and the ping-pong battles are again on. It actually does really feel like a second dwelling.
I transfer into Room 27 with Elisa [Riffoneau], my roommate for the previous three years. I take the mattress within the again, she’s on the tidy facet—not me—and the room slowly begins wanting precisely prefer it did in years previous.
Saturday: Goosebumps on the Stade de France
After a quiet afternoon of relaxation, we head to the Stade de France to cheer on the boys’s workforce in opposition to Scotland. The environment is electrical—goosebumps throughout. That sort of vitality is inspiring. How will you not dream of experiencing the identical factor sometime?
Behind our minds, the thought begins to take form: profitable too, and perhaps pulling off a historic treble. However that is our journey, our personal story to jot down. The match is lengthy, the opposite groups are rising stronger, and we’re properly conscious of England’s dominance in recent times.
Match week preparation begins
Time for one more week of onerous work. All the pieces is measured to the minute: each run, each meal, each snack, each gymnasium rep. Everybody round us is absolutely invested, doing every thing they will to place us in the absolute best place to carry out. In comparison with membership life, the distinction is large. We’re used to coaching within the evenings, with physios perhaps a couple of times every week. Right here, we now have top-level employees, fixed assist, and a degree of element that adjustments every thing. Each little factor counts.
That night, the workforce sheet drops. It’s all the time an emotional second—some smiles, some heartbreak—nevertheless it’s a vital a part of constructing our group. After almost a yr away, I see my title listed at fullback. It feels a bit surreal, and I can’t wait to name my mother and father and inform them the information.
Because the workforce announcement finishes, the room hums with shared appears to be like and a wave of blended feelings. Agathe [Sochat] catches my eye and, together with her common cheeky grin, leans in and says: “Don’t cry.” A faucet on the shoulder. I don’t cry—however yeah, the emotion’s positively there.
I’ve been on the opposite facet loads of instances—as a “Helper.” It’s the hardest, most thankless position… but in addition some of the necessary. You give every thing for the workforce with out the reward of recreation time. It’s not straightforward, nevertheless it issues.
So, greater than a yr after my final begin, pulling on the blue jersey once more means every thing. After the 2024 Six Nations and lacking out on WXV, I made myself a promise: to work tougher, to return again stronger. I caught to it. And right here I’m.
The subsequent day, issues ramp up. Everybody is aware of their position. The mission is obvious: give every thing for the workforce, and produce your finest to the collective.
Kick off getting nearer
The jersey presentation is all the time one of many emotional highs of the week. This time, Jérôme Daret got here to share his unbelievable journey with France 7, from the grind to Olympic gold. A humble, highly effective story that had us all hanging on his phrases. You possibly can see the admiration written on each face. Receiving your jersey after listening to one thing that inspiring simply provides to the satisfaction—it makes you need to give much more for the jersey, for the rooster.
Issues begin to really feel actual. Some women keep again in Marcoussis to maintain coaching. Whereas we’ll be on the market representing France on the pitch, those that helped push us all week might be sweating it out too, matching the trouble in their very own means. They’re a part of this simply as a lot as we’re.
On the best way to the airport, Agathe’s daughter joins us—little Nina. It’s onerous to clarify, however her presence adjustments every thing. There’s one thing calming about her, a lightness that settles in naturally. Her laughter, her vitality, her carefree vibe—it brings a sort of pleasure we didn’t know we wanted. In a high-pressure atmosphere the place focus and self-discipline rule, these small, tender moments are treasured. They remind us what it’s all about: sharing, being collectively, and absorbing each second.
As soon as we land in Eire, it’s time for the Captain’s Run. We discover the stadium, try the locker rooms, take all of it in. On the rugby facet, it’s a bit messy—most likely simply nerves. As a kicker, this half is vital for me. I get my bearings, pick my visible targets within the stadium, really feel out the wind, strike the ball many times to lock within the rhythm. Reps and extra reps, till the movement looks like second nature.
Sport day: France vs Eire
We’re prepared. With kick-off set for 1 p.m., it’s an early wake-up. At 9 sharp, we’re all on the desk, watching our plates of pasta, rice, and rooster. Not precisely your dream breakfast. The pre-match meal is rarely a spotlight—most of us sort of dread it, to be trustworthy.
As soon as I’ve swallowed the final chew, I head again to my room and leap within the bathe. Aliocha Schneider, Nino Ferrer, Cœur de Pirate, Bruno Mars—our playlist hums within the background, setting an excellent temper. I pull on my gear, do a last test of my bag, after which it’s off to the stadium.
Our arrival is quiet. No fuss. Then issues begin transferring quick. I discover my spot between Marine [Ménager] and Manon (Bigot), slip into my shorts, minimize my socks excellent, and head straight out to the pitch. Carla [Arbez] and I run by way of some kicking drills earlier than I seize my tee and work by way of my movement once more. Lock it in. The workforce warm-up is clear, sharp, filled with intent. We’re dialed in.
The match kicks off. You understand the story. A well-controlled first half. Within the locker room on the break, the message is obvious: rating early within the second half, put factors on the board earlier than they get an opportunity to breathe. However… that’s not precisely the way it performs out. Eire come out firing, and we take a yellow card that shifts the momentum.
We climate the storm, grit our enamel by way of a troublesome spell, however keep calm and locked on the larger image. Then comes the influence from the bench—huge for us. After half an hour of Irish strain, we lastly break into their 40. That’s my cue. I am going for the posts to provide the workforce a breather and reward the group for all of the defensive work they’ve put in.
A couple of minutes later, Émilie [Boulard] crashes over for the attempt that seals the deal and lights up the squad with smiles throughout. A second that claims every thing concerning the combat and resilience of this workforce.
Sport over—mission completed. What a reduction to return away with the win after such a tense match. As Pauline [Bourdon-Sansus] mentioned: “On the WXV, we’d’ve misplaced that one.” That claims all of it. It exhibits that this group has turned a nook, with recent intent, an actual want to bounce again, and to indicate an entire new face.
Just a few households and dependable followers made the journey, all smiles, proudly sporting our colours. I discover my dad—he got here an extended solution to assist me. We discuss concerning the recreation, break it down collectively, I ask questions, we debrief. Then it’s a few interviews, a fast bathe, and off to the standard post-match reception earlier than heading again to the lodge. Departure is ready for the subsequent morning.
Sunday is all about journey, restoration, remedy, and video evaluation. We discuss concerning the efficiency, how we felt on the market, what we will enhance—amongst ourselves and with the coaches. Defensively, it was a strong recreation, however we didn’t create many possibilities with ball in hand. That explains the little bit of frustration you could possibly sense from some gamers.
Ultimately, the day flies by—it’s fairly full-on. Then Monday rolls round, and it’s the beginning of a brand-new week of prep.
Week three collectively. Second match arising. Now the match actually kicks into gear.
