Fabien Galthie is ‘absolutely’ safe from the sack, France boss confirms

French Rugby Federation (FFR) president Florian Grill insists that Fabien Galthie is not under threat of losing his job, despite an underwhelming Six Nations campaign.

France were hot favourites to win the 2023 Rugby World Cup but were narrowly defeated in the tournament’s quarter-final, losing to eventual champions South Africa.

Fans and pundits were expecting an emphatic response during the 2024 Six Nations, but that has not been the case, as they were comprehensively defeated in round one by Ireland.

That was followed by a win of the closest margins against Scotland due to a late and controversial TMO decision before Les Bleus were the width of the post away from their first defeat to Italy in the Six Nations, settling for a 13-all stalemate.

Fabien Galthie safe for now

The run of form has led many to believe that Galthie’s position as head coach is under threat as France have also endured their longest streak of home games without a win (three) since they failed to win four between 2017 and 2018.

“I’d be surprised if Fabien Galthie is there by the end of the Six Nations,” ex-Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman said on RTE.

However, Grill confirmed that the federation would not be taking drastic measures and that Galthie, who is contracted until 2027, is not under pressure.

“I’m a manager; I’m not the type of person to make swift changes due to pressure,” he told AFP.

“It’s not a decision made based on one game, one point and not on a transition period of matches that are difficult.

“Fabien Galthie is absolutely not under pressure.”

Six Nations law discussion: Should France’s try against Italy have stood?

France in a transition period

Grill believes that France are in a transitional period and that Galthie and his new staff members need time to settle in, as do the players and that it is not a quick process.

“You have to realise the reality of the quarter-final in France, with all the pressure around it,” Grill said.

“You have to respect the human beings. There’s a big transition period to manage, it’s not done overnight.

“You have to give them time; the message is resilience, solidarity, work.”

Les Bleus now have a week to regroup before their final two games of the tournament against Wales and England.

However, they are likely to play out those two matches without fly-half Matthieu Jalibert, who is reportedly set to be sidelined for up to six weeks.

READ MORE: Nigel Owens weighs in on Paolo Garbisi’s penalty miss after France ‘got away with one’