Par
Clement Mazella
Published on
Nov. 23, 2024 at 3:29 a.m.
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After Tevita Tatafu and Romain Buros, Marko Gazzotti is the third player to have had his first selection with the XV of France during this autumn tour. The U20 world champion, seen as a real diamond at the No. 8 position, was lucky to have 40 minutes to speak against Argentina at the Stade de France. A first cape into which he has sunk his teeth.
Marko Gazzotti enters at the break for his first selection
The native of Aix-les-Bains, who arrived in Gironde in the summer of 2023 from Grenoble, set foot on the Dyonisian lawn as soon as he returned from the locker room, in place of Rochelais Paul Boudehent. An early entry which somewhat surprised the person concerned.
“I had a lot of playing time, I didn't think I would play so much. I took it with great pleasure, and I tried to give my all during this second half,” he said with a certain touch of shyness.
The comfortable lead of 21 units at the break (30-9) did not necessarily take away the pressure of this first selection. “I was really focused on my tasks to make a good start. Regardless, it was a great experience, a childhood dream.”
A desire to return to the French team
A great experience where we had to get into the swing of things very quickly. “My first ten minutes were hard,” admits Marko Gazzotti. “It had been 3 weeks since I last played, the Argentinians showed a lot of rhythm. But over time, I stuck with it and it got better. There is a definite difference with the Top 14.”
This difference lies in particular in the sequence of long sequences. “In the Top 14, you have some, but here, you have several two-minute ones that follow one another. For me, this is the main difference between the Top 14 and the international level.”
Although he will be meeting up with his friends from Bordeaux-Bègles very soon, Marko Gazzotti, barely 20 years old, is already looking towards the next 6 Nations Tournament. “It’s clear that having tasted the French team, it makes you want to come back.” Here is a new young person who will help to grow the emulation dear to Fabien Galthié in the French team.
Clément MAZELLA, special correspondent at the Stade de France
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