It was the dream team for many months. And then, during the 2024 Tournament, the French XV was finally able to line up the 2nd line at Stade Toulousain, destined to reign over the Blues cage until 2027, at least.
After long months of waiting, the two friends Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou were lined up together against Wales, in March 2024. Since then, they have had 5 starts together in Blue, around ten with Toulouse, winning all the titles which have come to them and have reigned over the Champions Cup in recent weeks, taking Leicester's 2nd row despite being made up of two solid double meters – George Martin and Cameron Henderson – for vulgar players of English D2.
XV OF FRANCE. Jalibert, Flament, Barré… the 20 players released by the Blues staff before Wales
And for good reason, together, they are unstoppable: Flament shows exceptional activity, tackles everything that moves, catches everything that passes into touch and has an individual technique worthy of an NBA player.
Meafou was once desired by NFL recruiters. With his extraordinary size (2m03 for 145kg), he jostles anyone who gets in his way and today has the necessary body at international level. All with hands made for the Toulouse game.
-Etzebeth/Snyman scarier but less complementary
In short, a complementarity such as probably none exists on the international scene today, as Flament constitutes the archetype of the modern number 4, and Meafou that of the 5.
WORLD CUP. RG Snyman, the Springbok giant who ate second lines for breakfast
The 2nd oversized lath (2m05 and 127kg average) of the Springboks Etzebeth/Snyman can look them in the eye for what it imposes on the opponent, but the two South African giants do not have their complementarity on the field .
So dominant in the Champions Cup over the last 15 days, we can't wait to see the two thieves at Stade Toulousain perform again in the Blue jersey. And see how far they are able to push the limits of their position.
