the opener of the XV of France Lina Queyroi, symbol of a youth who takes power

In the absence of Caroline Drouin, who missed the Tournament, the young player from Blagnac inherited the position of fly-half for Les Bleues, and will still wear number 10 in Scotland on Saturday.

A conductor who is making her mark. As against Ireland last weekend, the French XV of Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz will be able to count on Lina Queyroi (11 caps) at the opening during the second day of the Six Nations Tournament, in Scotland, Saturday March 30 (at 3:15 p.m. live on France 2 and France.tv). At 22, she was entrusted with part of the keys to the game of the French XV, she who had been called up but did not play during the 2023 Tournament.

“Today, Lina is gaining more and more momentum in our collective. We have no problem with giving her responsibilities, she is also the boss in her club and she stands out in the championship”, affirmed Gaëlle Mignot before Les Bleues entered the fray last weekend. Having become an almost essential starter at Blagnac, the native of Limoges delivered a very good match against Ireland, pfor his first start in the Tournament. Completely successful against the poles (100%, four conversions, one penalty), she was also very fair in the animation (8 races with balls, 48 ​​meters gained).

“One day, you will see this girl in the French team”

This upward trajectory has all the makings of an accomplishment for Lina Queyroi, who has always been immersed in rugby, testing her first oval ball thanks to her father and her little sister, at the Payzac-Savignac club (today Union Rugby Club Auvézère, Dordogne). “We already found the qualities that she has today, the vision of the game, no fear of contact, her cheerfulness in playing, that was important, and her spirit of camaraderie on the pitch.”, remembers his educator at the time, Vincent Cellerier. While she also plays handball, which undoubtedly helped her develop her ball skills, Lina ultimately chose rugby.

From her first steps on the pitch, little Lina impresses. “All the tournaments she played, she played very, very well”assures Vincent Cellerier. We had a tournament in Périgueux, one person told us that she had a lot of quality, and with her dad, we replied, ‘you know, one day, this girl, you will see her in the French team'”his former educator joked years later.

At 15, she joined the Toulouse junior center and then made her debut in Elite 1 in 2019, with the Blagnac club, where she still plays. Before catching the eye of the staff of the XV of France (then coached by Thomas Darracq), who summoned her and offered her her first two selections during a double confrontation against Italy in September 2022. Years later , the prediction of his dad and Vincent Cellerier came true.

Versatility appreciated by the staff

At club and national level, the player from Nouvelle-Aquitaine is particularly appreciated for her versatility, capable of playing openly, at fullback, and in the center, but also for her qualities in the game. “She alternates well between being a passer and attacking the line to gain speed”deciphers Marie Sempéré, consultant for France Télévisions.“

Present in the group that left to compete in the last World Cup in New Zealand in 2022, she also embodies the new generation of players on whom the duo of selectors wishes to build the future. “We want to have girls in the group who dare, who try, who are carefree, and I think Lina ticks all these boxes”also appreciated Gaëlle Mignot before Ireland.

Established at the opening during the three WXV meetings last fall, she is the one who has so far been favored to replace Caroline Drouin. The Rennaise, also part of the French 7s team, was to take advantage of the Tournament to return to the XVs, after a year and a half dedicated to Olympic preparation, but a knee injury deprived her of this. “What is important in this position is to have as many meetings as possible and to create automatisms (…) The earlier you start these players, the more comfortable you make them”assures Marie Sempéré.

Saturday, on the lawn of the Hive Stadium, Lina will want to lead her teammates to a second victory in two outings in this Tournament.