This fall tour promises to give Fabien Galthié and his assistants quite a headache. After the sluggish victories against Argentina and Georgia, the XV of France ended in apotheosis Saturday, November 20 by winning a major feat against the All Blacks (40-25) with a historic gap against the men in black.
During this tour, the XV of France went from a rugby of dispossession based on a big defensive pressure, to a control of the ball during the first two meetings. Without showing control … They sometimes lost the thread of the meeting. For the final meeting, the French returned to what has been their strength for two years: more kicking and alternation (25 kicks against 19 against Georgia and 21 against the Pumas), and a ball left more to their opponents to preseter a formidable defense.
During these three games and particularly in the clash against the players of Ian Foster, the Blues have supported their status as steadfast, while others have emerged to apply for a position of potential holder.
Those who affirmed their status as untouchables
Cyril Baille – If he is the first name to be lying on the match sheets in his left pillar post, Cyril Baille could also be for his status in the group. Since the arrival of Fabien Galthie and the 2020 Tournament, the pillar of Toulouse has been used fourteen times by the staff, including only once as a replacement. Not really surprising because his manager considers him to be “one of the best lefties in the world ”. As valuable in the menial tasks of the pillars as in the running game, the player, trained in Lannemezan (Hautes-Pyrénées), is part of the game advocated by the Blues.
Antoine Dupont – In the family of the untouchables, I ask for the king. In this game, it is the scrum-half, Antoine Dupont, promoted captain in the absence of Charles Ollivon, who wins the bet. With 15 tenures in as many games since the arrival of Fabien Galthié at the head of the Blues, he is the coach’s soldier. Less prominent in a collective jostled against Argentina, the Toulouse player has remained true to himself, especially against the Blacks.
Romain Ntamack – Shifted to the center to be associated with Matthieu Jalibert during the first two meetings, the Toulouse opener was also less prominent in an initially sluggish collective, before offering some interesting sequences against Georgia. The “Jalimack” option does not seem totally crossed out. However, the performance of the Toulousain at the opening against the Blacks installs him a little more as boss of the post. The revival “from the end of the world” in the 62nd is the turning point of the match which led the Blues to the feat. The opener size boss of the XV of France is there.
Gaël Fickou – The center Gaël Fickou, captain of the defense, took the opportunity to mark the spirits in a sector where talents are piling up. Discreet at the start of the tour, he broke the screen against the Blacks alongside Jonathan Danty. Omnipresent in the duels, just ball in hand, he perhaps delivered his most successful match in Blue.
Damian Penaud – The winger with the fire canes, sometimes annoying by his defensive lapses in tackles or in the air, nonetheless remains an exceptional finisher and one of the sure values of Fabien Galthié (12 starts in 13 games). Against the Blacks, he proved that he can also go coal and put the necessary physical commitment in big games. Three tries in this tour including one on a brilliant interception on Saturday night. No one seems able to go looking for him on his wing at the moment.
Those who can shake up the hierarchy
Melvyn Jaminet – Landed from Pro D2, the back of the Usap had been thrown into the deep end during the tour in Australia, where he had shone against the poles and in the game (41 pts). Renewed as holder while his competitor Brice Dulin was sent home twice, Melvyn Jaminet had a lot to gain and almost as much to lose against the Blacks, for his biggest test. Expected in the air – key sector against the Blacks – where his eldest shines, the 22-year-old has responded. With a 100% against the posts (8/8, 20 points) in the shock of the tour, he is no longer needed as the future, but the present of the XV of France at the back. In contrast, Brice Dulin, hero of the Tournament, is relegated out of the group in November.
Jonathan Danty – He too had scored points in Australia. This fall, if the Rochelle center started the first two test matches on the bench to make way for the Jalibert-Ntamack duo, he made remarkable entries that balanced a shaken collective. By its explosiveness and its power, it brought a physical density in the axis of the ground which had sometimes been lacking. The pair of center holders he formed with Gaël Fickou on Saturday night was crucial to foil the Blacks. It will not be so easy for Arthur Vincent and Virimi Vakatawa, absent from the tour because of injuries, to apply for a starting place in the center for sure.
Cameron Woki – In his desire to bring mobility to his pack, Fabien Galthié had made the bet to opt for a second-row profile more runner than Bernard Le Roux, the usual holder. If it is first Thibauld Flament who wore the jersey flanked by the number 4, Cameron Woki then took over, brilliantly.
Peato Mauvaka – Five tries in three games. These stats worthy of a winger are however to the credit of a hooker. Behind the untouchable Julien Marchand, his teammate at Stade Toulouse, Peato Mauvaka has asserted itself in this three-game series. Like his team, the New Caledonian has gained momentum. D‘on board showing off like a very good finisher capable of bringing down the Argentinian beast with an esshave at the end of the game. Then by replacing his captain in Toulouse, injured during the match against Georgia. Facing the Blacks, Mauvaka has once again been able to raise his level of play. In addition to his two penetrating group attempts, he was very active in defense. with ten tackles, his best total in the blue jersey.
Those who get stuck in place
Matthieu Jalibert – Despite two tenure, the Bordeaux opener did not really have the opportunity to express himself fully in a domineering collective where his qualities as a facilitator could have shone. If he was able to offer a glimpse of his palette and in particular his talent as a franchiser – evidenced by his test against Georgia on a service from Romain Ntamack – the performance of Ntamack against New Zealand should confine him for the moment to a role of luxury “finisher” at the opening. Tested at the back during the match, he lacked benchmarks.
Mohamed Haouas – He seemed to be part of the furniture, but he could be one of the losers on this tour. First announced forfeit, the Montpellier pillar was well established for the first match against Argentina. Then nothing. “Additional player” against Georgia then New Zealand, the most used right pillar for two years saw Demba Bamba and Uini Atonio pass in front of him. About the latter, Fabien Galthié indicated this fall that he was “The incumbent at the post of right pillar”. An announcement as a surprise when we know that, despite his injuries, Atonio had been little used by the staff of the XV of France. His return to grace therefore overshadows Momo Haouas and Demba Bamba.
Demba Bamba – As since his debut with the France team, Demba Bamba was still content with a replacement role. If he could have hoped to run for a titular role behind Haouas, so he suffered the return by Uini Atonio. However, in an impact role player that the staff seems appreciated, Bamba did not disappoint. Its power and mobility are valuable assets at the end of the game. Status quo therefore for the Lyonnais.