The Rise of the Finisher: Fabien Galthié’s Impact on French Rugby

“Arrow of time”, “emulation”, “UFOs”… Since taking office on the bench of the XV of France, Fabien Galthié has relied on his own terminology. Among these elements of language, the coach popularized the expression “finisher”. Almost literal translation of the English “finisher”, it designates those who come into play to take over from the starters and bring new life to the team.

Throughout the group stage of the World Cup, the finishers were praised by the staff and players for their contribution, often decisive, at the end of the match. Does the term represent a truly special vision for replacements? Or is it simply an element of language to better convey the pill of starting on the bench?

“Against anyone, anytime, anywhere”

The first explanation of the term finisher in the mouth of Fabien Galthié dates back to the short-lived Autumn Nations Cup of 2020. Before the match against Scotland, at the end of November, he had defined their role as being ready “against anyone, anytime, anywhere”. The staff then decided, to launch this new competition, to establish the usual bench, as a token of recognition of the work carried out by the second knives at the start of their mandate.

“If he put this in place, it’s for a reason, Fabien Galthié is not a person who leaves things to chance”, warns Thierry Dusautoir, former captain of the Blues. For Joris Vincent, rugby historian at the University of Lille, the coach uses this term first from a media point of view, to position himself differently compared to his predecessors.

The word finisher also allows us to emphasize the strategic role of entrants. “It is for a psychological purpose. The replacement is not by default, but in a collective functioning”, explains the historian. Through the name of finisher, Fabien Galthié therefore changes the approach to the management of his group. “In the national team, we have a group of players who are competitors, who are not used to being in this finishing position. Perhaps this is a way of making it easier to accept”exposes the ex-captain of the XV of France.

This dimension can also be seen in other uses of the word finisher, according to Joris Vincent. “We can also link it to finishers in extreme sports, in ultra trail running for example. Overall, it’s reaching the top and the end of the performance. These players will participate and do an extraordinary job “says the historian.

More and more impact on the ground

In fact, and on the field, the use of the term finishers was accompanied by a great importance given to replacements in the French team. If Fabien Galthié and his staff worked for a long time to build a typical team, they also refined the bench, responsible for finishing the work. After a first part of the mandate marked by defeats conceded in the last minutes (against Scotland and England during the 2021 Tournament, twice in Australia during the summer tour the same year), the Blues and the finishers have worked to become specialists.

“That’s the quality of this French team: as soon as the substitutes come on, they make the difference and, above all, they maintain the same level as the starters.”

Dimitri Yachvili

at franceinfo: sport

This dynamic also comes from the fact that the Blues benefit from a fairly remarkable squad depth, with many individuals on the shoulders of holders. In 13 matches in 2023, they have scored 15 tries after the 60th minute of play, including four by a finisher. Like the opening match of the World Cup against New Zealand, won in part thanks to the second wind provided by the bench. “It’s a very good example, with a quick injury to Julien Marchand replaced by Peato Mauvaka who made a superb entry, Arthur Vincent made a good entry with scratches…”, rewinds Vincent Clerc, consultant for France Télévisions. For comparison, in 2020, only one finisher managed to score one of the eight blue tries flattened in the last 20 minutes.

The “science” of replacement

But the trend does not only concern the French team. Overall, the modern game increasingly requires substitutes, introduced in 1968. With the development of the physical dimension, rugby has today become a sport that is played with 23 players rather than 15. In English-speaking vocabulary, the notion of“impact player” has also developed to designate entrants and their impact on the ground.

“Coming in and knowing how to manage the end of the match, even more so at international level, is essential. At this level, we know that matches are really won at the end”Demba Bamba already explained at the beginning of 2020. On the oval planet, replacements are now well thought out and codified, at all levels. “Their role is important since it allows tactical adjustments to be made and a rebalancing of physical intensity. Replacement has become a science, it is a very meaningful expression”note Joris Vincent.

A science within which entrants have their full place, whether they are called replacements or finishers. There is no doubt that they will also be expected on the pitch at the Stade de France on Sunday evening against the Springboks.