where has Lyonnais Ethan Dumortier, revelation of the 2023 Tournament, gone?

A year and a half ago, Ethan Dumortier made a notable international debut during the 2023 Six Nations Tournament. The Lyon winger was the only player to play, as a starter, all five matches for the Blues . Even scoring two tries, against Italy, in the opening, then against Scotland. At the time, Fabien Galthié confided about the 2019 U20 world champion, already summoned in November 2022 for training in Marcoussis: “Two years ago he came as a training partner. In fact, he navigated between the French 7 Development team and the Lyon club. He was a bit between two waters, between the 7 and the LOU, but he had already made a strong impression on us when he came to work with us.

And the Blues coach added: “He is one player among many others that we follow, that we want to support and push towards this form of development and development, as is the case for him today , with his club Lyon, but also now with the XV of France. At this period, the winger with a slender profile (1.91 m for 93 kg) was walking on water with the LOU, scoring 8 tries in 7 matches. Unavoidable. His arrival in the French team was obvious.

Only 2 tries scored in 15 matches last year

“I wouldn’t say that I have changed dimension, I would rather say that the work that I have been doing for many months is starting to pay off. I feel more and more comfortable on the wing, and I am progressing all the time”advanced the player formed in the center. His participation in the 2023 World Cup then seems confirmed, except that, in the home stretch, during the intense preparation of the Blues, he was going to be pipped to the post by the neophyte Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who will then burst into the big day.

A big setback. And quite a blow to the coffee maker. Since then, the one who trained in Isère – first in Saint-Savin then in Bourgoin-Jallieu – has returned to the ranks. Less playing time, fewer tries scored. In 2022-2023, he had scored 17 tries in 28 matches, all as a starter. Before the collapse: 15 matches played last year (12 as starter) for only 2 tries flattened in mid-December in the Champions Cup.

Competition is fierce on the Lyon wings, notably Monty Ioane, Xavier Mignot, Vincent Rattez, and the versatile Davit Niniashvili. “When you see the names of the wing players at LOU, you realize the density of the competition, had recognized Ethan Dumortier in Progress. It’s galvanizing and pushes you to surpass yourself. But I must also admit that it’s difficult to watch your friends from the stands play when you’re a competitor.”

It’s a disappointment that’s difficult to overcome. I was simply told that it was a choice of the staff

Ethan Dumortier

And to admit about his disillusionment with the last World Cup: “I only took part in one warm-up match, the first in Scotland (25-21 defeat at Murrayfield, his 6th and final selection, Editor’s note)where I perhaps missed my chance. In any case, I didn’t have another one behind. It’s part of the game, but it’s a disappointment that’s hard to overcome. I was simply told that it was a choice of the staff. The Lyon winger, however, did not draw a line under the Blues, he “want to taste the French XV jersey again”. Even if the competition is fierce. It’s difficult to dislodge the essentials Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey. Not to mention that Gabin Villière or Matthis Lebel are also growing.

If he has not yet found his way to the goal this season after three matches (two as a starter), Ethan Dumortier will try, this Sunday (9:05 p.m.) against Stade Français Paris, to put himself in evidence at least two weeks from the announcement of the group of 42 players for the November tour (Japan, New Zealand, Argentina). Just to make up for lost time. At only 23 years old…