The three matches of the autumn tour were rich in lessons for coach Fabien Galthié and his staff. Several players scored points, while others lost them.
In many ways, a special flavor reigned over this fall tour of the Blues. A year after the trauma of the last World Cup, a few months after the business earthquake of the summer, the return of Antoine Dupont… Result, the XV of France won back its public by winning its three tests against Japan (52-12), New Zealand (30-29) and Argentina (37-23). All without Cyril Baille, Romain Ntamack and Damian Penaud…
On the purely sporting aspect, Fabien Galthié can draw interesting individual conclusions. Some players did well, while others did not seize their chance.
They scored points
Thomas Ramos made Romain Ntamack forget. What Matthieu Jalibert never managed to do. In the absence of the Toulouse opener, the usual rear shone with the number 10 on the back. Unwittingly put under pressure due to the sidelining of the Bordeaux player, Ramos assumed his role as boss. Its management and its foot/hand alternation are a model of its kind. His effectiveness against the poles impresses (100% against the Blacks and Argentina). His anger is also a reason which pushed the staff to install him next to the ghost Antoine Dupontwhich only reinforced his status as the best player in the world. Ramos is more than an alternative at open.
The other big guy on the tour wears a red helmet. Louis “Bip-Bip” Bielle-Biarrey. The Bordeaux-Bègles winger is only 21 years old but what class, what pep and above all, what gas! Flashed at 35 km/h against New Zealand, the Isérois scored four tries during this tour, bringing his total to 10 in 14 selections. “He understands everything”summarizes Galthié. The future, and especially the present, is him.
The big biceps of Paul Boudehent and the hyper-activity of Peato Mauvaka are also worth highlighting. The first one showed he was more than just looks. With his Superman face, the La Rochelle third row distinguished himself by his ability to respond to the physical challenge of the international level, in attack or defense. As for the Toulouse hooker, he is gradually establishing himself as the world reference in his position. “Peat'” can do everything, with or without a ball. And even finish matches on the third row…
They lost points
Matthieu Jalibert is the big loser of the tour. The Bordeaux player did not appreciate his downgrade in the hierarchy of openers, what's more behind a trained fullback, in the person of Thomas Ramos. Outside the group against the All Blacks, he asked the staff to return to Bordeaux and not be part of the “extra-players”. A decision not really to Fabien Galhtié’s taste. Always performing well with UBB, Jalibert has never excelled with the blue jersey on his shoulders. Obviously, that's not about to happen… Now here's Ntamack, Ramos and even Dupont, who finished the last two matches at the opener, ahead of him in Blue.
Another Bordeaux player is struggling to get his foot in the French team: Yoram Moefana. The 24-year-old center cannot demonstrate his qualities as a hybrid player. He did not succeed in forgetting Jonathan Danty or Nicolas Depoortère. The latter, scheduled to start this tour, was not worried.
Finally, the case Grégory Damn it questions. Galthié's basic man, number 8 was coached early against the Blacks (46th) and was not on the sheet against the Pumas. A strong choice from the staff who no longer hesitate to dismiss out-of-form managerial players. If his credit is far from zero, the Rochelais knows the work he must do in order to regain his level. But internally, there are rumors that Alldritt is physically on edge.
They are not dead
Three Toulon residents are affected by this category. First of all, Charles Ollivon. The great Charles, author of a neutral start to the club season, took advantage of the injury of François Cros and the absence of Grégory Alldritt to return to the group for the last two matches. Starting against Argentina, the first captain of the Galthié era regained his splendor, signing a major performance.
Gabin Villière also made his return to Blue after a year of absence. He had the difficult task of replacing Damian Penaud and Théo Attissogbe. And Gabin made Villière. The other winger in the red helmet of the Blues showed all his aggressiveness, defended very well against the Blacks and gave himself a try against the Pumas.
The left pillar Jean-Baptiste Groslong third in the hierarchy of left pillars behind Cyril Baille and Reda Wardi, has found a more than correct level.
The frames Win Anthony (34 years old) and Gaël Fickou (30 years old) recalled that they still had juice and were more than transition players with the new generation.
