This time it’s the right one for Matthis Lebel. Called up by Fabien Galthié in November 2020 in the group of 31 players, he had not been selected against Italy. This time, the coach decided to start him on Friday, November 12, for the test match against Georgia on Sunday November 14. At 22, he will don the blue jersey for the first time. Here are three things to know about the newcomer of the XV of France.
A Blue from the Pink City
Matthis Lebel is the meteoric rise of an (almost) child from Toulouse Stadium. After starting rugby at the Lombez-Samatan club, of which his father Mickaël was captain, he joined the Toulouse stadium in 2014, at the age of 15. He completed his classes there, and joined the pro group in 2018. At the end of his first pro season, which ended with Brennus’ shield, he played seven games and scored three tries. The following season, it becomes essential.
Taking advantage of the injuries of Arthur Bonneval, Yohann Huget and Cheslin Kolbe, he becomes the holder. He ended his season with the French and European championship titles and finished his team’s top scorer with 15 tries. Remarkable for his downforce and speed, he was rewarded with the prize for the “most beautiful Top 14 test” during the Nuits du rugby 2021.
#NightDuRugby
BEST TESTMany of you voted to designate the best test of the season!
We let you discover this wonder signed Matthis Lebel with the @StadeToulousainIn association with @LandRover pic.twitter.com/VhWym3kXhR
– TOP 14 Rugby (@ top14rugby) September 27, 2021
Double U20 World Champion
Matthis Lebel may well honor his first selection with the XV of France on Sunday, he already knows the jersey hit with the rooster. He wore it from 2017, when he joined the France Under-18 team. There will only remain one season, the time to win the European Championship after a final won against Georgia. Already. The following year, he joined the under 20s, and the golden generation of Gros, Bamba and other Ntamack. With her, he is twice world champion, in 2018 and 2019. Before finally moving into the big leagues today. “Matthis has earned his right to put on the jersey“, Fabien Galthié simply said on Friday when the team was announced.
He knows the Marcoussis National Rugby Center well, but will discover the highest level with the XV of France. With the desire to make his place among Damian Penaud, Gabin Villière, Teddy Thomas or Vincent Rattez. The task does not look easy, but neither insurmountable as the player of Stade Toulousain shows precocity.
– lebel matthis (@lebel_matthis) November 12, 2021
A strong friendship with Romain Ntamack
Precocity is one of the characteristics he shares with his lifelong friend of France’s XV player, Romain Ntamack. In a cross-interview with The team, Matthis Lebel has also told that it is the father of Romain, the ex-international Emile Ntamack, who made him return to the Stade Toulousain. He had followed the young Matthis during several tournaments and, certain of his potential, had convinced Mickaël Lebel to let his son carry out detection with the Reds and Blacks.
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It is among the young people of the Stadium that he befriends Romain Ntamack. The two future champions climb the categories together, in club and in selection, and develop a fusional relationship which is reflected in the field.
Toulouse drives the point home!
1st try of the season for Matthis Lebel following a magnificent game at the foot of Romain Ntamack, and that makes 34 to 3 for Stade Toulousain after transformation #STRCT pic.twitter.com/qfZIyPUknL
– Canal Rugby Club (@CanalRugbyClub) September 12, 2021
The two Toulouse residents share their room in Marcoussis. And will have the opportunity on Sunday to share for the first time a selection with the XV of France, with the hope of continuing to win together.