UFO, “player with great potential”, nugget … Who are the nine novices called by Fabien Galthié for the autumn tour

They are nine players who have never worn the blue jersey. Monday, October 18, Fabien Galthié and Raphaël Ibañez presented the list of 42 players selected to prepare for the fall tour.

If some already know the XV of France to have carried out training courses of preparation, none has donned the tunic struck of the Rooster in match. Overview.

Thibaud Flament, 24 years old, Toulouse

Two years ago, even oval ball purists did not know him. Although he was born in France, Thibaud Flament (2m03, 116 kg) had never played in France before his signing at Stade Toulousain, during the 2020-2021 season. Trained in Belgium, he also played in England in the youth categories, then in the Argentine first division and with the Wasps.

“It was a very good recruit for Stade Toulouse, considers Vincent Clerc, the former winger of the France team for franceinfo: sport. He quickly melted into the collective and then he progressed at great speed. Even if he played at Wasps, it was really in Toulouse that he took on this dimension “.

Flament is one of three novices selected for the second-line position. Three identical profiles of slender and mobile players in the current game.

Florian Verhaeghe, 24, Montpellier

He is a player who was formatted for the high level. Captain of the 1997 U20 generation, Florian Verhaeghe (2m03, 110kg) had a first call in 2017, under the mandate of Guy Novès, to prepare for a match against Japan.

Since then, the lanky second-row has been unlucky: he has been injured twice in the shoulder in Toulouse and then in Montpellier. He takes advantage of the staff’s desire to bring movement to his pack.

“He’s one of those modern profiles, he’s a big fighter who likes dark spots, underlines Vincent Clerc. He is very tall, very slender, so often found in touch, he is a good taker of balls who is also very good on blocks and who runs a lot “.

Florent Vanverberghe, 21, Castres

He is also second-line and has, in addition to his first name, a physique similar to his Montpellier counterpart.

Born in 2000, Florent Vanverberghe (1m95, 113kg) was crowned U20 world champion in 2019 with the French team in Argentina. Trained in Toulon but barred from his training club, he has been playing at Castres Olympique for two years.

In a club, his performances were noticed and opened the doors to the XV of France. This summer, he was on the scoresheet for the tour’s first meeting in Australia. Injured, the Castres had to withdraw. Since then, he has taken part in all his team’s meetings this season.

“As for Flament and Verhaerghe, cThese are profiles that we look at a lot nowadays where rugby is evolving and requires travel, develops Vincent Clerc. The conquest is still as important and the fact of having the ball allows to control its game and to breathe the adversary with a clean launching pad “.

Injured in the hamstrings, our winger Gabin Vilière will not be able to honor his convocation for the rally of October 24 to prepare the@autumnnations. He is replaced in the group by @Vincent_Rattez. #XVdeFrance #NotLet’sXV pic.twitter.com/mDjX8UFBR0

– France Rugby (@FranceRugby) October 19, 2021

Tani Vili, 20, Clermont-Ferrand

Neither has he missed any game of his team, Clermont, this season. At the center of the Auvergne attack, Tani Vili (20) stacks up the tenure, taking advantage of the injuries of his competitors. Trained with the neighbor Briviste, Tani Vili is also international in the U20.

Summoned to the group of the XV of France for the summer tour in the Southern Hemisphere, he had not taken part in any meeting. This fall, he is once again taking advantage of the packages of the indéboulobale Arthur Vincent and the Lyonnais, Pierre-Louis Barassi.

“He’s a player powerful like Jonathan Danty or Virimi Vakatawa decrypts Vincent Clerc. OThere is a profile of very strong upper body players, who manage to put their arms around, to play after them. “

Maxime Lucu, 28 years old, Bordeaux-Bègles

Seeing his name lying on the list is no surprise. Established number 3 in the hierarchy of scrum-backs, he was on the very first list of the Galthié mandate, for the 2020 Six Nations Tournament.

Regularly called up in the preparation groups, Maxime Lucu (28) has never crossed the stage of a scoresheet. He should have been on the trip to Australia to finally be able to show his full potential. Alas, a nasty injury prevented him from taking the plane.

In the absence of the usual number 2, Baptiste Serin, the Basque could finally taste a game sheet, behind the untouchable Antoine Dupont.

Donovan Taofifenua, 22, Racing 92

Another U20 world champion. Sacred with the Bleuets in 2019, Donovan Taofifenua (1m79, 84 kg) has changed clubs since his coronation. He is now playing in Racing 92 where, despite the stiff competition for his post, he manages to make his way.

As proof, this paver “very fast” according to Vincent Clerc, scored twelve tries last season. “With Matthis Lebel, they marked their borrowings in the championship last season. On been talking about them for a little while, adds the former international winger. They will mingle with the competition of Gabin Villière, even if he is injured, and Damian Penaud. It is true that there were not too many people on these wings either. We saw Gaël Fickou being replaced several times. These young players have every chance this November. “

Matthis Lebel, 22, Toulouse

Like Taofifenua he is a winger, very fast and U20 world champion. Twice (in 2018 and 2019). Matthis Lebel (22) is not really a surprise in this group.

Already called to prepare for the 2021 Nations Cup, his name was mentioned by Fabien Galthié on the Canal + set. He is a player he wanted to see quickly at work with the national team.

In club, he was a major element of the double coronation of Stade Toulouse last season by scoring 15 tries in 27 starts.

Thierry Paiva, 25 years old, Bordeaux-Bègles

1m84 and 120 kg, the measurements of Thierry Paiva speak for him. A pure product of Bordeaux-Begles training, the solid pillar grew up in the shadow of Jefferson Poirot, his club mentor.

Before the France-Scotland match, during the last Six Nations Tournament, Thierry Paiva was selected in the France group following a positive test from Cyril Baille. “A suprise”, in the opinion of his own club manager, Christophe Urios, interviewed at the time by Sud Ouest.

At the time of his first call with the blues, his club trainer, Julien Laïrle explained to our colleagues from L’Equipe: “He is someone who travels a lot on the field, who has an activity in the tackle and in the contest where he is very efficient.. It is this modern left pillar profile that we are looking for today. Its volume of action is very impressive “.

Romain Buros, 24 years old, Bordeaux-Bègles

Present in the group this summer for the tour in Australia, Romain Buros (1m87, 97 kg) had been the victim of the phenomenon Melvyn Jaminet. Against the Wallabies, he hadn’t played a single minute.

The fact remains that the native Béarnais has been gaining momentum for several seasons. At 24, he is an indisputable holder with his club Union Bordeaux Bègles. In the 2020-2021 season, he played 28 matches, including all of the European Cup and Top 14 finals.

At a press conference on Monday, October 18, Fabien Galthié also praised his versatility, between the wing and the rear.