“There are only winners”insisted the Blues coach Fabien Galthié at the microphone of TF1 after the last test match of the autumn series won by his men against Argentina (37-23) Friday at the Stade de France. Popular success, sporting success, this November tour was rich in lessons with players who stood out as Louis Bielle-Biarrey or Paul Boudehent and others who have fallen back in the hierarchy. We can think of Matthew Jalibert who experienced his downgrading badly or even to certain executives who were challenged and/or spared by Fabien Galthié. Here are the winners and losers this fall.
The winners
Boudehent crossed a chapter
Paul Boudehent is one of those who made an impression and points in view of the 2025 Six Nations Tournament where France will travel to England then to Ireland. Replacing in the first match of the November tour against Japan, the La Rochelle third row wisely bided his time, which came earlier than expected with the injury to Thibaud Flament, injured in the iliac crest. Coming into play shortly before the break, he scored twice in the second half which allowed the Blues to win largely (52-12) and which convinced Fabien Galthié to start him against the Blacks. Still at ease during the narrow victory of the XV of France (30-29) against New Zealand, he was once again a try scorer before putting in a big performance against the Pumas. “Digestion of the Tournament and the World Cup allowed him to take a step forward in understanding the game and his determination”said Fabien Galthié during the rally.
Ramos won at the opening
Thomas Ramos Although he prefers to play at fullback, he is also an excellent fly-half. He proved it again on this tour in the absence of his teammate at Stade Toulousain Romain N'Tamack. If the choice to align him as a hinge at Dupont irritated more than one, who called for Matthieu Jalibert instead, Thomas Ramos quickly silenced the critics on the field. He often delighted his friends like on this recovery ball where his almost blind foot pass for Louis Bielle-Biarrey allowed the French XV to take control of the match. “He has eyes in the back of his head”laughed Fabien Galthié as he returned the action. Whether he is established in 10 or repositioned in 15, Thomas Ramos above all confirmed that he was a formidable scorer by passing 18 of his 20 attempts between the poles, which brought him one length closer to Christophe Lamaison (380) and Frédéric Michalak (436). He could become the best director of the French XV during the next Six Nations Tournament.
Bielle-Biarrey broke the screen
If there was only one for Antoine Dupont before the tour, at the end of it there is a match on the applause meter with Louis Bielle-Biarrey whose popularity has continued to rise during this month of november. Red helmet on his head, impressive top speed – he was flashed at nearly 35 km/h against the Blacks -, outstanding finisher – he scored four tries in three matches to bring his total to 10 in 14 caps… ” LBB” puts as much energy offensively as defensively. Remember these two defensive returns against Japan when the match was already over: in the first, he used his thigh to prevent his club teammate at Bordeaux-Bègles, Tevita Tatafu, from flattening and in the second, despite his speed and determination, he was unable to play the role of savior once again. “Louis is becoming a world-class player, quite simply. Maybe he already is . Even though he is very young. He doesn't waste time, he understands everything and he has incredible potential and talent. And he brings a lot to the French team”underlined Fabien Galthié before the match against Argentina.
The losers
Jalibert had a bad time with his downgrade
“Matthieu will continue in the French team… if he wishes of course. » This sentence spoken in the middle of the press conference announcing the composition of the XV of France against the Blacks is not insignificant. She says everything about the discomfort between Matthieu Jalibert and the coach. Scheduled to be part of the reserves against New Zealand, the UBB fly-half asked to return to Bordeaux to clear his head. A very bad signal sent, according to Fabien Galthié. “It’s their choice, everyone is free to experience their emotions, to share them. We need determination, strong players. Until now, even if his journey has not been linear, he has contributed to the French team and has always shown his talent by giving the best of himself. Everyone has the choice to make decisions. Out of the 42, we need to identify the determined players who have the ability to get through the good times and the tough times. » As a result, Matthieu Jalibert was not called up to prepare for the match against the Pumas. He will have to scrap to regain his place in the group.
Executives Fickou, Alldritt and Ollivon challenged and spared
“We took a path because we noted that world champion teams had an average of 50 or 60 caps. But perhaps with our French ecosystem, this ambition is not possible, not achievable. » Has Fabien Galthié changed software? During his first cycle at the head of the Blues, the coach gave himself time to make strong choices. During the last Tournament, he waited until the fourth match of the Six Nations to dismiss Danty, Lucu, Woki and Jalibert. This demotion-promotion system was rather true from one competition to another. There during the tour, it happened from one match to another. Ollivon was not in the 23 against Japan. Fickou was on the bench that evening, he who had started all the matches since the start of Fabien Galthié's mandate. Another example, that of Alldritt, who for the first time since the 2020 Tournament was not lined up by choice against the Pumas. Quickly released against New Zealand, the Rochelais must now face competition from Roumat, Gazzoti, Guillard, Ollivon and Cros. “The more emulation we have, the more players we have who will be competing for the same position, the better the French team will be”is convinced Fabien Galthié.
READ ALSO. “What is positive is our margin for progress,” says Antoine Dupont
Jelonch, Danty and Woki have disappeared from the radar screens
There are losers and big losers. Anthony Jelonch, Jonathan Danty and Cameron Woki are among them. Symbol of their downgrading, they did not play a single minute during this tour. Anthony Jelonch, who is slowly recovering from a serious knee injury suffered in January, only returned to competition at the end of September. He needs time to get back to his best level. An indisputable time, Jonathan Danty has seriously fallen back in the hierarchy at the center. Fickou, Moefana, Gailleton, Depoortère passed in front of him. Just like Cameron Woki in his hybrid second and third line position. The French team has this ruthless side which means that when you lose your place, you have to work twice as hard to get it back.
