And suddenly, Gabin Villière appeared. We were playing the 49th minute of this France-Italy, Sunday February 6, when the Toulonnais took advantage of a good job from Grégory Alldritt to sneak through the transalpine defense. The attempt was not made, and the winger, thanks to a dynamic run, a hook and a fake kick, gave a more substantial scope to the French advantage (23 -10 at this time of the match, 37-10 in the end).
If he had taken advantage of a very oily game launch to cross the line for the first time (40th), Villière did not ask anyone this time. Better, the winger put the cover back at the end of the match to conclude a confused action (80th), during which we saw him at work several times. This new successful performance, punctuated by a nice hat-trick, illustrates the dimension taken by the 26-year-old Norman, now author of six tries in nine caps.
His impact on the French game goes beyond his finishing skills. “He plays in a position that can give pride of place to the scorer, but at home it’s his warrior state of mind that scores and also carries his teammates He gave the full measure of his talent“, underlined Raphaël Ibanez, the manager of the Blues after the match.
“Gabin’s performance is exceptional.”
Raphaël Ibanez, manager of the XV of Franceat a press conference
Skillful on high balls, needy in rucks and tackles, the RCT player likes to dezone his wing to bring a welcome surplus in the heart of the game. Less whimsical than his counterpart on the right wing Damian Penaud (also haloed of a test), Villière offers in this sense a perfectly complementary profile to that of Clermontois.
The TRIPLE of our @gabinvilliere !!#FRAITA #Don’tDoXV #XVdeFrance pic.twitter.com/ftT4p9DPuE
– France Rugby (@FranceRugby) February 6, 2022
Not much predisposed, however, the kid from Vire to an international destiny. In any case, not with the XV of France, since the 26-year-old winger has long been accustomed to seven-a-side games, where his interval shots wreaked havoc. It is no coincidence that, with 88 meters covered, he was the most conquering tricolor. In 80 minutes of play, he beat 5 defenders and made 13 runs with the ball. Only the spearhead Alldritt does better (3 defenders beaten and 21 runs).
Villière is the story of a talent that might not have blossomed at this level without a helping hand from fate. Selected for the first time during an Autumn Cup of Nations to which the usual holders were not invited, he was able to seize his chance and relegate Teddy Thomas or Vincent Rattez off the scoresheet. A reversal of hierarchy as a symbol of a Galthié era conducive to the integration of newcomers. Because the ex-Rouennais was still playing in Federal 1 when the manager of the Blues was appointed.
We know that we must be right when we talk about a hierarchy of positions that Fabien Galthié does not hesitate to turn upside down. But the facts confirm it: Gabin Villière is now a basic man of the XV of France. Holder during two of the three autumn tests, including the resounding success against the All Blacks (40-25), the winger with the red helmet approaches this Tournament in the shoes of a holder.
Sunday, his copy was not perfect, like an inconsistent team. The Toulonnais lost three balls and was penalized twice. But his incessant activity makes up for it. It will be another pair of sleeves against Ireland (Saturday February 12), and Villière will be, like all of his teammates, expected at the turn.