France is determined to hold their cards close to their chest as Les Bleus prepare to face the Springboks.
The Springboks are currently in London where they are preparing for games against Japan, France, Italy, Ireland and Wales.
While the first game against Japan will be their sole focus for the week, France is not taking any risks. The French national rugby team has moved their public training sessions behind closed doors.
French cautious of junior Springbok Spies
According to Planet Rugby, their coach Fabien Galthie fear that they might be spied on in the days leading to their exciting encounter against the Springboks next weekend. This comes as the team is currently based in Marcoussis, just outside of Paris. This is ironically at the same facilities that the Springbok U19 team has been utilising.
Le Figaro reported that the team is wary of the possibility of having footage being shared with coach Rassie Erasmus. They have therefore held their sessions in private facilities.
While the team is known for hosting public training sessions, it has further been reported that media has been granted limited access. Instead, they now only have 15 minutes to watch these live sessions before having to vacate the premises.
U19 Academy on European Tour
Earlier this week, coach Kevin Foote included five of the U20 World Championship winners in his 30 man squad for their European tour.
Some notable members include captain Riley Norton, as well as Stormers debutant Oliver Reid. According to the SA Rugby Union, the tour is a crucial pathway for age group players to the junior Springboks and serves as a pinnacle of SA Rugby’s Elite Player Development Programme (EPD).
