Already crowned during the last two editions of the World Cup, the Bleuets will try to establish their domination a little more in their age category.
The right to dream, again. Titled in 2018 and 2019, the players of the France under-20 team have the opportunity to earn a third consecutive star on their list, Friday July 14 at 7 p.m. (the 2020, 2021 and 2022 editions having been canceled due to the Covid crisis). Facing them, the Irish team remains on a Grand Slam during the last Six Nations Tournament. A title which is not enough to scare the XV of France because it had only lost by two points in Ireland, on the one hand, but also because its players have impressive high-level experience to their age.
A habit of high-stakes matches
If his workforce accumulates a fairly colossal playing time with professionals (8313 cumulative minutes), Philippe Boher, coach of the conquest and defense of the French team, underlines that his players have developed their attitude on the field, their vision play, but also outside the meadow. “VSthey are young players but who already have a certain maturity“. In full force of age, with a little extra soul in addition, “an old head on young shoulders” he laughs. “Old heads” who for some have already played in the final stages of Top 14 or Pro D2.
“They are able to analyze the balance of power, to make good decisions, in a very important combat context, at their age.“While some players have benefited from great exposure this season such as Mathis Ferté (1247 minutes with Brive), Léo Drouet (816 minutes with Provence Rugby), Baptiste Jauneau (1027 minutes with Clermont), Lenni Nouchi (556 minutes with Montpellier ) or Posolo Tuilagi (628 minutes with Perpignan), it is the majority of the group, which enjoys a knowledge of the very high level.
Of the 23 players on the match sheet on Friday, only six of them have never played a few minutes as a pro (Zaccharie Affane, Thomas Lacombre, Lino Julien, Thomas Duchene, Mathis Castro-Ferreira and Arthur Mathiron). Barred either by playing in positions that still require a little more maturity, or by competing at an international level at their club.
“I have rarely seen so much talent gathered in the same group, we really have a very good generation”, insists Philippe Boher Who recalls that his team is deprived of two elements that are usually driving forces and above all very experienced. Its captain, Emilien Gailleton, top scorer in the Top 14 this year, and its titular back, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, both retained with the XV of France. The two players have accumulated 1,627 and 1,535 minutes respectively as professionals this season.
The XV of France incubator
Not content to be able to count on the experience acquired by its players in contact with the various professional groups to which they belong, the management of Les Bleuets can also benefit from the contribution of the XV of France. Indeed, since the arrival at Marcoussis of Fabien Galthié and his staff, the U20s are regularly integrated into the training sessions of the “big guys” and are even confronted with them during direct opposition. This season, the operation was repeated during the autumn tour, the Six Nations Tournament and even before the world championship, to the delight of Phillippe Boher, who salutes the initiative. ” Ihe work done in partnership with Fabien Galthié and all his staff is exceptional. For us (the staff), but especially for the young people.“
A way for the Blues in the making to soak up the small details of the very high international level for Philippe Boher. “I think we really took a step ahead of our opponents.” It’s up to the coach to add. “It is a booster, an accelerator of talent and development.“Certainly also a gateway to the great XV of France, at the start of a post-World Cup year conducive to the integration of new blood, to begin a new cycle. It goes without saying that a title of champion of the world among young people would certainly be equally so.