FRANCE
Fans expect this to be best year yet under Galthie, writes James Harrington

Talisman: Antoine Dupont is expected to be fit for the opening match
PICTURE: Getty Images

Hitting form: France beat All Blacks

This is Fabien Galthie’s third Six Nations as Les Bleus’ head coach and everything has changed since his first one in 2020. Today, 20 matches into his 40-match countdown to the 2023 World Cup, and despite Covid-19, France expects.
Three years ago, on the eve of the first tournament of the Galthie era, France – as a rugby nation – was wary. It wanted to believe in the new c...