France boss Galthié stresses joy of the collective for Uruguay World Cup clash

France rugby union boss Fabien Galthié underlined his belief in the collective with his decision to rest several star players for Thursday night's World Cup clash against Uruguay in Lille.

Fabien Galthié, head coach of France rugby union's national squad, has fashioned a team that features among the favourites to win the 2023 rugby World Cup. REUTERS - GUGLIELMO MANGIAPANE

Since taking over as head coach of the national team in 2018, Galthié has pursued a simple philosophy of grooming a group of hungry operators keen to feast on the same prize.

After announcing 12 changes to the side he initially sent out to face New Zealand in the opening match of the tournament, Galthié said: "We have put together a team that is prepared. It's the most complementary in terms of freshness, motivation and partnerships.

"Our four years together have led us to make up the best team in France at the moment for this match."

France overpowered New Zealand 27-13 at the Stade de France on 8 September. The following day Italy thrashed Namibia 52-8 to take control of Group A

Uruguay, who lie 14 places beneath France in the world rankings, sat out the opening weekend of fixtures and will launch their World cup campaign at the Stade Pierre Mauroy in Lille.

Despite the bruising victory over New Zealand, Galthié urged his players not to rest on their laurels.

Focus

"We need to get over the game against New Zealand," said the former France international skipper. "We need to focus properly on Uruguay because that is where our concentration needs to be."

New Zealand take on Namibia on Friday in Toulouse and are expected to rack up a big score against the minnows in an attempt to restore their battered pride and relaunch their campaign. The All Blacks – New Zealand's nickname – are also likely to rest several players who took part in the opening match.

 "To prepare for Uruguay, we have to tell ourselves that there are no easy matches," said Sekou Macalou, who will be in starting line-up on Thursday night despite not even making the substitutes' bench for the game against New Zealand.

"Of course I was disappointed," said the 28-year-old who plays his domestic rugby for Stade Francais.

"We're in France and we have an obligation to win," the forward added. "We can't take any match lightly, we can't afford any slip-ups."

Uruguay boss Esteban Meneses named an experienced line-up with 11 men who played at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

Following the game against Uruguay, France take on Namibia at the Velodrome in Marseille on 21 September and they finish the pool stages with a game against Italy on 6 October.