Keep Fiji out of their comfort zone
France’s Nations Championship campaign starts on Saturday in Lyon against Fiji, and attack coach Patrick Arlettaz has already picked out the danger. Speaking from the squad’s base at Marcoussis, he said the Fijians thrive on duels and that Les Bleus have to keep forcing them back into a collective fight.
Last November’s meeting is the reference point. France won 34-21, but they had been 21-0 up and lost their way after that. Arlettaz said the problems were not only out wide. The midfield struggled too, and Fiji also disrupted France’s defence enough to stop them playing. Once a team stops winning the duels against opponents like this, he warned, it ends up in trouble.
He pointed to Jiuta Wainiqolo as an example. The winger is far more dangerous with lots of room, so the plan is to put the Fijians in situations they like less. Last year, in his view, France reinforced what Fiji do best.
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Dupont and Ntamack, Woki in the frame
The French half-back pairing looks set to be Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack. Arlettaz was delighted to see them in form together, though he noted that injuries have narrowed the choices rather than coaches picking a favourite combination. Since the 2023 World Cup the pair have played only two matches together.
Cameron Woki could start in the back row, and Arlettaz called it a reward for a consistent season with Bordeaux. He also praised Aaron Grandidier’s aerial game and speed, and said Theo Attissogbe’s versatility fits the system at fullback.
Arlettaz likes the new format, too. The summer tour showed him that players care about where they stand in the table.
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