Marcosis (France) (AFP) – Assistant coach William Servat admitted on Monday that France will carry the “scars” of their Six Nations defeat to Ireland in Marseille into their next game against Scotland in Edinburgh at the weekend.
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The former France hooker watched from the touchline on Friday as his team suffered a crushing defeat against Ireland, their biggest-ever 38-17 win on French soil.
“I didn’t expect that,” Serbat said.
“We prepared very well for this game, but the reality is we missed our chances. I don’t think our strategy was wrong, but we didn’t do what we wanted to do.
“We came back with a lot of resentment and bitterness.
“The game against Scotland will be prepared with the scars from the game against Ireland.”
But Servato said head coach Fabien Galthie, his staff and players analyzed the failure and “I think we found the key to bounce back very quickly.”
France lost Paul Willemse to a red card in the 32nd minute, but it was only in the final quarter that they caught up with Ireland.
“It was a difficult game, but we were still behind until the 58th minute with only a converted try.”
Selva insisted France’s lackluster performance had nothing to do with the bitter disappointment of losing to South Africa in the quarter-finals of their home World Cup in October, a game they believed they could win.
“We didn’t prepare for Ireland without thinking about South Africa at all,” he said.
“It was prepared based on the South African experience, but it was never stigmatized.
“This match had nothing to do with the World Cup.”
With Willemse suspended and prop Leda Wardi and lock Roman Taofifenua both affected by injury, a change to the starting XI will be necessary at Murrayfield, although Servat has ruled out a complete shake-up. There will be.
“You always have to expect small adjustments,” he said.
“(But) it would be a mistake to dismiss everything head-on. For the players to have confidence, they need to feel that we believe in them, so don’t expect big changes. ”
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