the lessons of the fall tour of the XV of

The three victorious autumn tests of the French XV, against Japan (52-12), New Zealand (30-29) and Argentina (37-23), in brief:

. The players

Thomas Ramos. Preferred at the opening over Matthieu Jalibert, the versatile player, who makes no secret of preferring to play at the back, nevertheless shone during the three tests. Effective against the poles (100% on the feet against New Zealand and Argentina), courageous in defense, Ramos offered precise kicks for his wingers and had a lot of impact offensively on the Blues' game.

Peato Mauvaka. Still under competition from his teammate Julien Marchand in Toulouse, the explosive Mauvaka impressed this fall, notably with a full 80 minutes against Japan. Able to slide into the third line at the end of the match, especially against the All Blacks, Mauvaka is everywhere on the field, in defense and even sometimes on the wing as a three-quarter. Only a few inaccurate throws tarnish this picture.

Scrum half Antoine Dupont during the XV de match against Argentina on their fall tour at the Stade de France, November 22, 2024. / FRANCK FIFE / AFP/Archives

Louis Bielle-Biarrey. Surprise guest of the 2023 World Cup, the arrow has definitely taken on a new dimension. Author of four tries in three matches (two against Japan, one against the Blacks and the Pumas), «LBB» (14 caps, 10 tries) poses a constant threat on his wing thanks to his speed and sense of the game, and spares no effort in defense.

Paul Boudehent. The muscular third row of took advantage of “emulation” defended by Fabien Galthié to make his way among the starters, after a good start against Japan. One of the only ones to compete physically with the All Blacks, he reshuffles the cards in a third row where the competition is fierce (Cros, Ollivon, Alldritt, Roumat…).

. The numbers

379. The number of points scored with the XV of France by Thomas Ramos, now third best director in the history of the Blues after scoring 12 points against Japan, and 15 against New Zealand and against Argentina. Ramos is only one point behind Christophe Lamaison, while Frédéric Michalak is – still – a little ahead (436 points).

Third row Paul Boudehent scores a try during the fall match for the XV of France which faces Japan at the Stade de France, November 9, 2024 / Bertrand GUAY / AFP/Archives

93. Against the Pumas, Gaël Fickou recorded his 93rd selection, becoming the fourth most capped player in the French XV, tied with Serge Blanco, at only 30 years old.

3. The Blues signed their third consecutive success against the All Blacks after those of 2021 and 2023, equaling a record only achieved in 1994/1995.

429. Starting against New Zealand, the returning Gabin Villière had not played in the blue jersey for 429 days and a group match of the 2023 World Cup against Uruguay.

. The declarations

“He brought his talent to the French team and he always tried to give the best of himself and he will continue. If he wants to of course”. Fabien Galthié on Jalibert, sidelined against the All Blacks and not even called to play against Argentina, but around whom “there is no controversy” then assured the coach.

Rugby: lessons from the fall tour of the XV of France

The coach of the XV of France Fabien Galthié during a training session at the Stade de France, November 21, 2024, before facing Argentina / Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP/Archives

“I have always been challenged, it has never been easy, I have always had to fight”. Center Gaël Fickou, put on the bench against Japan, a first in Blue since 2019, before starting the last two matches.

“What is positive is our margin for progress”. The perfectionist scrum half and captain Antoine Dupont, back with the Blues after a year of absence, time to win an Olympic Sevens title.

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