not called up for a while, he still believes in the XV of France

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We have continued to observe this since the start of Fabien Galthié's mandate in 2020: the breeding ground for French rugby is rich. Very rich indeed. And the generations of U20 world champions (2018, 2019 and 2023) are as talented as they come. Among them, a quality second line, capped twice with the French XV in 2022, has not been called up by Fabien Galthié since the end of the 2023 6 Nations Tournament. Missed meetings, two injuries at the wrong time … The Blues, he still believes in them.

Thomas Lavault: only 2 selections with the XV of France

U20 world champion in 2019, Thomas Lavault very quickly climbed the ranks in La Rochelle. In 2021, the second line established itself in the rotation, played 28 matches, and appeared on the match sheets in the two finals lost by the club (replacing each time).

2022, he continues, and even started alongside the colossus Will Skelton during the victory against Leinster in Marseille (21-24), synonymous with the first major title for Stade Rochelais. International recognition came a few weeks later, with first two selections won during the tour in Japan.

What’s next? A missed first meeting with the French XV during the 2022 fall tour, due to a left ankle injury. Absent from the first list of 42, Thomas Lavault has not seen Marcoussis.

The Italy-France episode…

Performing at club level, Thomas Lavault is recalled for the 2023 6 Nations Tournament. Fabien Galthié even puts his name on the match sheet during the Italy-France match on February 5 in Rome. Except that that day, there were no 3^e selection for the native of Thouars.

“The scenario was close, the match hot, and we won 24-29,” remembers Lavault, who remained on the bench for 80 minutes, just like Nolann Le Garrec. “Not to come back, yes it hurts. But in the end, it's understandable. I was young in the team, and bringing us in with Nolann was perhaps not the right time. It was frustrating, but this frustration should serve to push me out the door,” Lavault tells At the time of Rugby.

Galthié took the time to speak with the two concerned. “I want to think of them. They were excellent with us, they didn't waste time, they are young players and they will count in French rugby. They already count, and they will count in the future,” the national coach declared to the press.

“These words were reassuring. And what I had to learn from it was that I didn’t have to stop working,” Lavault rewinds. At the beginning of March, he was replaced by Thomas Jolmes in the France group, announced as a “forfeit” but without further details.

…and the 2023 World Cup

The World Cup in France is obviously on Thomas Lavault's mind. Except that the Rochelais, who has just won a second Champions Cup, is not even in the preparatory group for the World Cup. Another missed appointment.

“I was in the balance with Florian Verhaeghe. I had explanations from the staff, and they opted for the versatility of Flo, who could play 4, but also 6. Which was not my case. Fabien Galthié appreciated 4s being able to evolve into 6s, and it came down to that,” Lavault explains to us.

A painful decision. Necessarily. After that, the one who started rugby at US Thouars spoke with the La Rochelle staff to start a 4-6 versatility. “This happens to me from time to time during matches, or during certain scrums. It gives me an extra card, it’s pretty cool.”

No tour in Argentina

Next? No call-up to the Blues in 2024. “It was planned that I would go to Argentina this summer, but it passed under my nose,” Thomas Lavault tells us. At the end of May, after the reception at Pau, a match in which he played in its entirety, the second row underwent examinations which revealed a shoulder injury.

Operation case, 3 months of absence, and therefore no tour. Yet another missed appointment.

Lavault has not given up on the XV of France

Thomas Lavault is not the type to give up. He assures At the time of Rugby : the Blues, he still believes in them. “I am 25 years old, I consider myself young for the position of 2^e line that I occupy, and I only want to go back. I'm going to work for it, and that goes through the club. The objective is clear: already perform with La Rochelle.”

And Lavault has this observation: “The Blues, you never give up. Look, at the start of 2024, a player like Paul Gabrillagues was recalled. You should therefore never give up, and if you are good you are recalled…”

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