One person's misfortune is another's happiness, as the saying goes. Not sure that coach Fabien Galthié was delighted to learn of Gaël Fickou's withdrawal for (at least) the first two matches of the Tournament. But we will have to learn to live without the most capped French player still active.
We will have to bounce back very quickly and look at the options behind the captain of the Blues defense. Should we recall Jonathan Danty? Trusting youth? Throwing Antoine Frisch into the deep end? Decryption.
Danty, in the name of continuity
Jonathan Danty knows the house perfectly. The French international now has 29 caps with the Blues and represents insurance in the center of the field. Solid, it would densify the center of the field and provide an anchor point. While this option is tempting, it would be a small step backwards.
Indeed, we understood this fall that the XV of France wanted to develop its offensive game. More movement, more speed around the ball. The objective would be to quickly reach the wings to take advantage of the talents of Bordeaux Penaud and Bielle-Biarrey in these positions. Aligning Danty means offering a more frontal and direct game with much less avoidance.
Youth in power
If it worked in U20, why not rely on the Gailleton-Depoortère center pair? After all, they cut their teeth in the Top 14 and proved they can perform at the highest level. Depoortère finished the last Tournament as a starter and Gailleton made promising outings in the fall.
For a gaming purpose, this pair is promising. Especially since it does not imply giving up on defensive solidity. Gailleton-Depoortère is youth in power, and many promises for the future. But we must not forget their friend Paul Costes, just as successful with Stade Toulousain for two seasons.
Barassi and Frisch, regularity
The Six Nations Tournament is a special competition. A constant challenge for five consecutive weeks. In this regard, you have to field a solid composition with strong players in their minds. Pierre-Louis Barassi and Antoine Frisch represent this solution. Perhaps not the most flamboyant, they are one of those players who bring serenity to a group. Especially since the Toulouse player has had excellent club performances in recent weeks, enough to gain places in the rankings? The future will tell us.
After reviewing the names of the contenders, we should not forget the one who played the entire November tour alongside Fickou, Yoram Moefana. Criticized by the press, his profile appeals to the Blues staff and the UBB center is one of the installed players. So, who will accompany him in the center on January 31 against Wales?
