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Fabien Galthie faces sack before end of the Six Nations

By Ian Cameron
France's coach Fabien Galthie looks on ahead of the Six Nations rugby union international match between France and Italy at Stade Pierre Mauroy in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, near Lille, northern France, on February 25, 2024. (Photo by Sameer Al-Doumy / AFP) (Photo by SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images)

RTE rugby pundit Bernard Jackman has forecasted a grim future for France’s head coach – Fabien Galthie – suggesting his likely dismissal before the culmination of the Guinness Six Nations.

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This speculation follows France’s latest underwhelming performance in Lille, where they narrowly avoided defeat against Italy, managing only a 13-13 draw in Round 3 of the competition. The match saw France reduced to 14 men for the second half, allowing Italy to mount significant pressure and nearly clinch a historic victory.

Italian fly-half Paolo Garbisi’s penalty strike against the post in the dying moments of the game left the outcome hanging in a tense balance, ultimately resulting in a draw.

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France 7s captain Paulin Riva on Antoine Dupont joining the 7s squad

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France 7s captain Paulin Riva on Antoine Dupont joining the 7s squad

With the bar set so high for this French team, their struggle to dominate in a match where they were heavily favoured has raised more questions about their direction under the 54-year-old Galthie’s stewardship.

Former Grenoble head coach Jackman believes that knives will be out for Galthie in France, who has been under the kosh since France’s quarter-final exit from the Rugby World Cup.

“I’d be surprised if Fabien Galthie is there by the end of the Six Nations,” Jackman stated, reflecting the disappointment and frustration felt by many French rugby fans and commentators alike. The former Ireland hooker also projected the French press will be going in hard on the enigmatic head coach, who just 12 months ago was the toast of France.

There’s a growing concern over France’s campaign and Galthie’s leadership in the absence of super-star scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, who is now playing on the SVNS circuit.

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As the Six Nations heads towards its final two weekends, all eyes will be on the French camp, with pressure on the misfiring team to win their final two games against England and Wales.

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Jon 9 hours ago
The case for keeping the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby Pacific

I have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.

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