Lhen Emilien Gailleton (21 years old, 3 caps) insisted on the very “ephemeral” nature of the blue bib – synonymous with probable tenure – which was given to him last week in Marcoussis, it initially sounded like a mark of caution. A precaution which also took on its full meaning when the requalification of Yoram Moefana, one of its main competitors for a starting place against Japan, was announced, who was under suspension following a dangerous tackle committed against La Rochelle.
But we can also read the words of the center of the Paloise Section as a speech of reason. A keen sense of proportion during last season. The one that this great hope of French rugby, who was invited to the preparation for the World Cup as top scorer (14 tries) for the 2022-2023 financial year, considers to have lived in “seesaw teeth”. “I had good feedback from my club coaches, but not necessarily the same admiration here (in Marcoussis). »
Today well placed to experience a cape with the “Premium”, after three first selections within the French teams reshuffled during a preparation match for the World Cup in Scotland and during the two tests of the July tour in Argentina , he even believes he “stagnant” at the time. But there is no consensus on this opinion.
Shadow in light
“I don’t quite agree with that,” says Antoine Nicoud, the coach in charge of the defense of the Paloise Section. For the technician, this bad patch is almost more like a construction of his mind than a translation of what the young center was achieving on the field. A collateral effect born according to him from the disappointment caused by his non-selection for the 2023 World Cup.
“Emilien had an incredible first season with a lot of balls in spaces: he had scored a lot of tries, so he had been very visible on things that can be seen,” argues Antoine Nicoud. “And last year, he absolutely confirmed it! But it's on another register. We have data where Emilien is very far ahead of the others. He has an incredible volume of high-intensity chases or coverage runs. »
“To reach a real milestone is to be an indisputable starter in the French team”
Since he felt the opposite, Emilien Gailleton had to be convinced of all this. But he's not the type to retreat into a catatonic state. “It’s because he’s perseverant, a worker,” praises winger Théo Attissogbe, one of his close friends in the Pau locker room, who toured Argentina alongside him and who is among the 42 of the France group this fall. “Even though he felt like he was stagnating, he worked hard every day. It didn't pay off right away, but I saw him evolve in shadowy sectors. »
Efforts combined with a good dose of “coolness” and his ability to sort things out in this period of intense introspection. “He was in the middle of fitting out his new house in Pau, he devoted himself to it,” says Théo Attissogbe. “He also picked up the guitar again with teammates. He likes to disconnect from rugby, it has done him good. »
Cap
Emilien Gailleton now receives the dividends. “I have progressed, I feel it individually,” he confides before setting himself a new level of progression. “In all phases of combat, I still have a lot to master. » An assertion which once again deserves to be qualified, however, whispers Antoine Nicoud: “He wants to be more dominant than he is. But his range is very wide: he can counter-rucker, hold players up for three seconds, make the opponent retreat…” That Emilien Gailleton was summoned for the tests in Argentina tends to demonstrate that the technician is right.
Oh of course, he too could have lost his footing when this tour turned into a legal scandal. “The last week has been complicated,” he admits modestly. But I managed to quickly switch. » To the point of finding the Blues for the upcoming tests. And take the opportunity to take a new step? “To reach a real milestone, in my head, is to be an indisputable starter in the French team. I’m still far from it,” reacts Emilien Gailleton. “But these are small steps that we try to climb day by day. » A way of making the ephemeral a lasting asset.
Atonio summoned to Marcoussis
While he had not been summoned initially, so as not to take any risks with a view to the match against New Zealand, the right pillar of Stade Rochelais Uini Atonio was summoned to Marcoussis this Monday. He replaces Clermontois Régis Montagne in the 42. Also from ASM, Killian Tixeront makes up for the loss of Joshua Brennan (Toulouse).
