Aerial play, pressure management, commitment… How rugby sevens became a major influence for its big brother XV
The coach of the French Olympic champion team details the contribution of the short format to the training of players and the tactical choices of the XV.
Quick Look
- Rugby sevens, once criticized by Guy Novès, now influences rugby union in terms of training, skills and tactics.
- Jérôme Daret, coach of the French Olympic champion team at Paris 2024, explains the requirements of the short format interviewed by Le Figaro.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
In 2011, Guy Novès, then a major figure at Stade Toulousain, criticized rugby sevens by declaring that it lacked combat and was only avoidance. Since then, rugby sevens has gained influence on rugby union, particularly after the Olympic coronation of the French team in Paris 2024.
It is a long way from the time when Guy Novès sharply tackled rugby sevens. In 2011, the strong man of Stade Toulousain (10 French championship titles and 4 European Cups) blurted out: “In sevens, there is the absence of combat, it is only avoidance. 7 is running. You might as well go see athletics…” A violent criticism which has since been shattered, as rugby sevens has become an obvious influence for its big brother the XV, whether in terms of player training, skills development or tactical choices. French excellence illustrated by the enormous spotlight on Antoine Dupont's Olympic coronation during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Due to its short match formats (two periods of 7 minutes), rugby sevens requires constant vigilance, with each error paying for itself in cash. Questioned by Le Figaro, Jérôme Daret, coach of the French Olympic champion team, explains: “In this…
Open Questions
- What specific details does Jérôme Daret provide on the influence of rugby sevens on the XV?
- What concrete examples of skills transfer between the two formats are cited?
