Be careful, we are not world champions yet!

Among the first eight inductees into the RCT Hall of Fame is former international scrum-half, Jérôme Gallion (27 picks, 10 tries) Champion of France in 1987 with the Harbor Club under the spell of France’s XV. Interview for Rugby Magazine and Le Quotidien du Sport.

You have just been inducted into the Toulon Club Hall of Fame. What does this mean to you?

It’s a great pride. When you look at over a century of existence for players of such tremendous quality who walked the lawn of Mayol Stadium with an RCT jersey on their shoulders, it’s almost unnatural. 20/25 years ago and the arrival of professionalism, we have witnessed the arrival of rugby players of exceptional quality in Toulon.

When I think of Australian scrum-half George Gregan… what can I say of George Smith, an amazing player! One of the best players I’ve ever seen play. Not to mention Wilkinsons, Matt Getto, Pakis Botha, Ali Williams. They were great players. Professionalism allowed these champions to compete in the French Championship. It was unimaginable a few years ago. Until I get selected, I’m totally amazed.

As a Toulon player, the 1987 title must remain his strongest moment, right?

Yes, but there were also many more. When I was in Toulon in 1975, experienced players like Christian Carrier and Alain Gilbert greeted me. They helped and guided me in the early years. Then we went through a great period from putting together the finals and semi-finals to winning the championship. We could have been champions again in 1985 and 1989. At that time we were among the best teams in France.

The strength we showed was recognized by all the other teams. Our great team cohesion came to a head in 1987. Each very determined person wanted to do their best to get ahead of the others by constantly raising their level of play, so that the team could be more competitive. It smelled so good.

Those who actually think we are world champions suffer from amnesia.

Like in the current France team, right?

Please note that I am not making a comparison between what we were doing and the French national team now. This current French team is great. She works a lot in training. She is not doing anything on earth. The players are well prepared. She has a very good read of the game and everyone knows exactly what to do. But not just the 15th on the field, but the 40th in training. Nor do we see moments of hesitation when the substitutes return. Immediately it works.

In the tournament, the English quickly realized that they had dominated all the booths. It’s amazing how well it plays with just a few bugs and a lot of game moves. It’s great to see and players progress as they progress as Flament. DuPont is even more vigilant and forthright. He takes the game on his own.

Is the path to the world title all set?

You don’t have to suffer from amnesia either. The quality match against the English (53 to 10 win, editor’s note) should not overshadow what we saw in November and even at the start of the tournament against Ireland (32 to 19 defeat, editor’s note). In November, in Marseille, we play against South Africa (win 30 to 26, editor’s note). They play with us at the age of 14 for most of the game. And by and large, they won. They showed phenomenal playing and fighting qualities in the second period.

South Africans are very dangerous, world champions and not for nothing. We also got beat up recently in Ireland. We slowed down in the second half but they didn’t. If we face them in the World Cup again, it will be necessary to raise our game even further. Those who already think we are world champions suffer from amnesia.

This is still a high quality French team, but the World Cup is long, over seven weeks. The big mistake would be to say that we are physically and mentally ready for the first match between France and New Zealand. I would have preferred that we play simpler games for us to get used to.

Jerome Gallion admires France XV

The Blues risk wasting a lot of energy right from the start.

Above all, this match against the blacks would force the entire group to prepare for this first meeting. But the final after seven weeks. It was more appropriate to play them in the third match before the final stages to gain momentum. If we weren’t ready against the New Zealanders in the first match and got 60 points we’ll look good! Even if we take 30, the questioning would be detrimental to the spirit of serenity that the French team wants to maintain.

In the World Cup, you have to count everything. It’s a group. It is also necessary above all to maintain strength. It’s a long time in high intensity matches. If we can make the first matches easier, that will be even better, which will allow some executives to rest.

How do you see Charles Olivone returning to the fore?

he is strong. was injured. The place was taken brilliantly. He knew how to come back. The coach was smart to tell him: “You will come back, but we leave the captaincy to Antoine Dupont. So it is less of a burden and you can focus on your work.” This he did very well. He was brilliant during this tournament. He plays fair and efficiently.

How does Antoine Dupont rank in the French Scrum Half hierarchy?

He is someone who wants to work and advance. He liberates with the left and right carelessly whereas before he did it with the right foot only. He is also very humble. He likes it. He loves competition. He wants to be a complete player. Antoine Dupont is not a clown. I find him cool in his attitudes. He’s the handsome player every coach wants to have on their team.

Finally, how do you view the management of the Galthié/Ibañez duo?

Galthié is the manager. Knows how to delegate certain tasks. men took. Fabian does not disperse. There is no loss. Sometimes in speeches when words come back it can be stressful. He, the fact that he is separate and that each of the others runs his affairs in his own sector, implies that Galthié only meddles in essential matters. His voice carries. At that moment, sure enough, everyone is silent.