Rugby-France must step up a notch for World Cup, says coach

Rugby Union - France v Australia - World Cup Warm Up - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - August 27, 2023 France head coach Fabien Galthie before the match REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

PARIS (Reuters) - Hosts France will need to step up a notch despite completing their World Cup preparation on Sunday with an emphatic victory over Australia, coach Fabien Galthie said.

France beat Australia 41-17 at the Stade de France in the last of four warm-up internationals to set down a marker but Galthie has already switched his focus to their opening game of the tournament against New Zealand in Paris on Sept. 8.