He celebrated his 25th birthday this Monday. Only 25 draws for this player that we have the impression of seeing for a decade, or almost.
Holder in the Top 14 at barely the age of majority, captain of the U20s in 2019 and regular international from the age of 20, it must be said that Arthur Vincent has broken a number of records for precocity. A bit in line with Gaël Fickou at this same center position.
XV of France. Arthur Vincent, stainless rating with the Blues staff
Without making waves, in the good or bad sense of the term, the pure-bred Héraultais had therefore asserted himself as one of Fabien Galthié’s future members, four and a half years ago now. Then the (serious) injuries happened, leaving him on the floor for almost two years, and the emergence of a new, even more talented generation ended up reshuffling the cards.
Despite all the hiccups, “Galette”‘s confidence remained intact and the kid from Montpellier played the World Cup in France with just the preparation matches in his legs. Assessment? Two score sheets including a complicated one against Uruguay, a status of 4th choice at center behind Danty, Fickou and Moefana, then the “backlash” upon returning to the club, he admitted at the end of last season.
A step back in the hierarchy, but a good start to the season
Since then and despite the difficult season he had to experience with the MHR – of which he is an emeritus leader – Arthur Vincent still embarked on South America for the tour that we know. But while the Top 14 finalists and other premium players from the French XV were not on the trip, he still did not play a single minute of the official test matches against Argentina, the Blues staff preferring Frisch. and Gailleton.
So, does Arthur Vincent still have a chance to play with the Blues in view of the upcoming international season? For those who have not played in a 6 Nations since the 2021 Tournament, the situation promises to be relatively complicated, given the emergence of Nicolas Depoortère and that of the other boys already mentioned. Which, combined with the previously mentioned context, clearly pushed him back in the hierarchy.
XV of FRANCE. Why can Antoine Frisch be the number 12 that Fabien Galthié has been looking for since the World Cup?Author of a good start to the season with the MHR (1 try, 1 crossing, 23 tackles in 173 minutes of play), the center with 18 selections was, moreover, cut off in mid-air by a concussion after 20 minutes against in Toulouse.
But he should make his return this weekend, for the trip to Stade Français. First of three (to four) matches he has left to try to convince his former mentor Fabien Galthié to restart him in November.
TOP 14. Toulouse with several absent for the derby including Romain Ntamack
Otherwise, there is no doubt that Vincent will continue to work in his corner, with the resilience that we know him to have, to come back. He still has time. Let’s not forget that Mauguio’s kid only celebrated his 25th birthday a few hours before writing these lines…
