Loose forward François Cros says France must match the Springboks physically at the Stade de France on Friday night before they can think about anything else.
The 32-year-old did not hide from the challenge when speaking to the media ahead of the round five Nations Championship clash.
“It’s going to hurt, that’s for sure,” he said. “But when you love combat sports, you love facing the best. It can be a bit unsettling, but we all want to test ourselves, to show what we are capable of.
“If we want to compete on Friday night, we will have to compete physically with the Springboks, since they rely on that to build their victories. If we are not up to it there, the match will be very difficult.
“Let’s put things in order, and after that we will have our chances to play on the more creative side. That is the whole challenge, the whole beauty of this match.”
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The scrum is one area where Les Bleus know they will be tested.
“[The Springboks] work as eight on each of their scrums and like to take the upper hand over their opponents in that area,” said Cros. “It will be a key area, one where we were put in difficulty [at the World Cup] in 2023. We have been working since the start of the camp to perform there. Every player will have to give a little more.”
France have also tweaked their preparation. With only six days between their 54-17 win against Fiji in Lyon and the Bok match, they have held closed-door sessions this week.
“We put the emphasis on recovery at the start of the week, and this Tuesday, our only training day, we preferred to work in the best conditions,” said Cros. “It’s not a bad thing, sometimes, to be in your own bubble.”
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Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
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Loose forward François Cros says France must match the Springboks physically at the Stade de France on Friday night before they can think about anything else.
The post Les Bleus bruiser: It’s going to hurt appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
