For several months, Pierre-Louis Barassi has been on cloud nine with Stade Toulousain. Freed from the physical problems that have slowed him down for a long time, the 26-year-old center is finally putting in high-level performances.
TOP 14. Lacombre, Capuozzo… The hybrid composition of Stade Toulousain for the reception of a reinvigorated MontpellierThis Sunday, the center was invaluable during the great success of Stade Toulousain at the expense of Leicester in the Champions Cup. Enough to land a starting place with the Blues during the next 6 Nations Tournament? With the absences of Jonathan Danty and Gaël Fickou, the question deserves to be asked. But there is competition with the Bordeaux players Depoortère and Moefana as well as Gailleton and Frisch.
Barassi, the “puncher” who is gaining strength
Fabien Galthié is full of praise for his player, recently called up to prepare for the Tournament. “He comes with us regularly, but since the 2019 World Cup, he has often been injured and subjected to tough competition at Stade Toulousain. This left him little room to return to competition. Today, he continues to play matches. He is good, efficient. He has great potential, a very good line player, puncher, who regulates well. I see him more as an outside center. He knows all that, since we exchange regularly“, confided the coach to Midi Olympique.
Clearly, Barassi ticks all the boxes to establish himself as number 13 against Wales, or even more if there are affinities. His powerful player profile, capable of breaking lines while having a good ability to organize the game around himcould seduce the French staff.
A vengeful player who knew how to hang on
Among the Rouge et Noir, Ugo Mola always believed in himself despite the difficulties, as he confided to La Dépêche in December: “He is someone who has had some struggles, who has had difficulty putting together performances worthy of the name with us, despite a few moments where he obviously had his level. So yes, we are happy because, honestly, he worked hard, he doesn't give up and maybe with a little more simplicity in his daily life, he can do cool things on the pitch.“
-The Toulouse coach highlights the shadow work accomplished by Barassi, who finally seems to be reaping the fruits of his efforts. Since the start of the season, the former Lyon player was fielded twelve times for club, including eleven times as a starter. Which allows him to continue and above all to shine like last weekend.
A golden opportunity with the Blues
With the absence of executives like Danty and Fickou, Barassi has a card to play. Its potential complementarity with one of the Bordeaux centers like Depoortère or Moefana, could offer new offensive options to the Blues. It remains to be seen whether Fabien Galthié will dare to align this center with the vision of the game asserted from the first match against Wales. One thing is certain, Barassi is ready to take on the challenge.
As a reminder, Barassi has not played with the French XV since the summer of 2021 when he faced Australia. There are only three selections on the clock,have one during the 2019 World Cup against Tonga. He was then a substitute as in 2020 against England. At 26, his time may have finally arrived. Will he manage to get on the right wagon and stay on the French train until the 2027 World Cup?
