As a surprise from the chef in 2023, you are considered the big winner of the Tour. Do you feel like that too?
Paul BOUDEHENT: Yes, without forcing things. I take it as it comes. It went well but as I usually say, just because it went well once doesn't mean it will always go well. At this level, I remain vigilant, humble and discreet because things can turn around so quickly. I have so many examples of players who were great on tours like this and then afterwards, we never saw them again. I don't want to be one of those players who are a bit of a flash in the pan (…) Nothing is ever a given. You have to keep working, hang on, keep believing. If you want to last over time, you must not see yourself too beautiful, you must agree to question yourself.
Seeing Grégory Alldritt, Anthony Jelonch or Charles Ollivon in the stands helps to put things into perspective?
PB: That's it, out of respect for them, because they left their mark on the French team and allowed it to be what it is today. I watched these players from my sofa. It felt a little strange but it gave me the motivation to give the best of myself. I told myself that out of respect for them, I couldn't miss it.
Paul Boudehent (France-Italy)
Credit: Getty Images
How have you changed since your debut in the selection?
PB: Honestly, I couldn't really tell you. I don't have the feeling of having changed, I have perhaps evolved a little in the way I approach matches. Maybe I'm a little more detached. I gained experience, maturity through the World Cup, the Tournament, club matches too. It took me a lot of things to get through all these levels. There are players who manage to go through them very quickly, for me it took all these steps.
Last season, Peato Mauvaka played 33 matches, Thomas Ramos and Gaël Fickou 32. Would you be in favor of a maximum number?
PB: It's a real topic of discussion because we're talking more and more about player safety, how to preserve our bodies as best as possible and allow us to have the fewest physical problems. There is an undeniable problem in French rugby, we play a lot of matches, 30 or even 35 for internationals who play in both the Champions Cup and Top 14 tables, it's huge. People don't realize the workload and the fatigue it generates. There are real discussions to be had on this, even with our clubs who want us to be available all the time. If we compare with other nations, perhaps their internationals arrive a little fresher. There is a real question: do we want the best championship or the best national team? I think today we're a bit stuck because we want both.
Comments collected by Raphaël PERRY
