XV of France – Jean-Baptiste Gros, a reference match in Blue

The XXL performance of Peato Mauvaka, located right next to him during the first 50 minutes of the match, inevitably overshadowed his performance a little. However, Jean-Baptiste Gros had one of his very best matches with the XV of France. Perhaps even the most successful. It's up to everyone to judge. The Toulon left pillar, long in the shadow of Cyril Baille, clearly in second position in the “ranking” of coach Fabien Galthié, had been downgraded during the year 2023 in favor of Reda Wardi. He hadn't said anything about it. Not really the type of guy, to be classified rather in the category of silent.

He did not elaborate on his performance and his pleasure at the press conference. Perhaps he was exhausted from his excessive activity? Nothing is less certain. Gros is not a talker. “I don't know how many tackles I made, but that's not the most important thinghe soberly commented. Everyone had fun in this match, that's the main thing. It was physically hard. The Japanese held the ball a lot, they made us run.” His tackles, in fact, let’s talk about them. The Toulonnais distributed a few goalkeepers which caused some lovely roars in the heart of the Stade de France. Above all, in 52 minutes, he tackled 17 times, for a success rate of 100%. The figure is pharaonic for a pillar. For comparison, third line center Grégory Alldritt made 22 while playing the entire match. Some say that JB Gros was discreet in the current game.

“I had the chance to stay next to Antoine”

This is very poor knowledge of the activity of the tricolor left pillar. Without ever giving the impression of weakening physically, he was invaluable in obscure work, that which we do not necessarily perceive. And his self-sacrifice was rewarded with a try at the start of the second half (42nd). His first after thirty selections. “It will remain a good memoryhe added shyly. I had the chance to stay next to Antoine (Dupont). And since he stares at a lot of defenders, I took advantage of it.” To review its status, we must look back. His medical misadventures obviously slowed down his progress.

On October 22, 2022, he fractured his forearm in the Top 14. The beginning of the struggle. Exit the November tour and the 2023 6 Nations Tournament. Seven months filled with doubts and stress, just a stone's throw from the World Cup in France. However, he returned, playing two matches at the 2023 World Cup. Alas, last December, he was diagnosed with a cervical hernia. The shamed injury of all front-line players. Once again, he missed the 6 Nations Tournament. In the meantime, Reda Wardi did the job, relegating him to third in the French hierarchy. This time, in the absence of the injured Cyril Baille, it was he who regained the upper hand; his two performances last summer in Argentina having convinced the staff that he was undoubtedly the right man to follow the evolution of the French game project. He knew how to seize the opportunity. He agrees. “A little”. As always. And to add, modestly: “We know that we always have to give our best when we wear the French team jersey.” This is what he did on Saturday evening against Japan, which should give him the opportunity to face New Zealand for the first time as a starter.