Rugby. Prestigious alumni of the Paloise Section decipher Gailleton: “His regularity is his main strength”

Damien Traille, 45 years old: 101 matches with the Section Paloise (1998-2004 then 2014-2016), French international 86 times from 2001 to 2011

“He could have had his chance in major matches well before because he made a few trips to Paris, which also made him learn the high level. He made a thunderous debut in Pau. His second season was more complicated but that's normal, he was more followed and expected. Even if each step was important, I would have liked him to be called upon more a little earlier with the Blues.

I feel like it’s a quiet strength. I have seen some reports on him, he is conscientious in his tasks, very thoughtful. He imposes a framework for himself, is very focused on his performance and gives himself the means to get there. He doesn't wait for the work to be done, he studies all aspects and areas for improvement. This is what makes it strong. Current Rugby wants that too. Now, young people are better surrounded and have more opportunities to play early in a club.

The Blacks, an important step

Today, he can occupy two positions, center or winger. He is always consistent in his performances, this is important data. He may be making fewer splashes than at the start, but he doesn't have any lows either. He has progressed but still has a lot to learn and his experience with the French XV will serve him well.

He lacks confidence, which will perhaps come from playing with the best French people. He started against Japan when the competition was tough, and played again against the Blacks. Facing (and beating, Editor's note) New Zealand is something important in a career. All this will make him evolve and will also be beneficial in the club.”

The editorial team advises you

The editorial team advises you

Julien Fumat, 37 years old: 308 matches with the Section Paloise (2005-2021)

“His latest selections are completely deserved. He falls into competition with Fickou who has been established for a while. But given what he has produced for three seasons, Émilien Gailleton is already a reference at the French level.

Where it is making the greatest progress is in small spaces. During his first season in Pau, he shone above all thanks to his races in wide intervals, taking advantage of the gaps of others. Now, he's the one who puts his teammates in holes, makes them play. He is super strong, his technical accuracy is impressive in this little game. He has really expanded offensively.

I see a lot of similarities with Conrad Smith, whom I worked with at the Section Paloise, in relation to these first supports full of speed and changes of direction in these restricted spaces. Defensively too, they have parallel attitudes, the same ability to read opposing attacks. For me, Gailleton is all-risk insurance for defense. He has excellent vision and understanding of the game, physical qualities which allow him to tackle low or high.

“Simple things done well”

I would say he can improve technically on his wide passes, when there are bigger spaces. He plays his duels well but can improve his transmissions.

It develops a lot, is much more complete. And even if he is tracked, he adapts. He has the whole future ahead of him, he will become the boss, has everything to establish himself as 13th in the French team. He assimilates everything, the level and the expected requirements each time. He has a head on his shoulders, it shows in the speed with which he adapted to the Top 14 level. He is made for it, has all the arguments to succeed on and off the field.

As the New Zealanders said in Pau, you need simple things done well. He illustrates this perfectly, his average level is very good. You can imagine, he was captain of the Section at the age of 21 against Toulouse. Okay, he was missing people, but that speaks to his place in the group and his ability to manage the pressure, the expectations, in a position where few players, even less young ones, assume this role.”

The editorial team advises you

The editorial team advises you

The editorial team advises you

Jean-Charles Cistacq, 50 years old: 128 matches with the Section Paloise (2000-2007), French international once in 2000

“Everyone is there on this autumn tour at the center, except Nicolas Depoortere, who is injured. I want to say that if you don't put it against Japan, it's complicated to manage your squad afterwards. Galthié is very good at that, he is not afraid of competition or of integrating young people.

Gailleton is already very good and has the trademark of very great players: technically and physically, everyone in the Top 14 is roughly equal. On the other hand, the best anticipate more and position themselves better on the ground. When we see him, we say to ourselves: 'Damn, he's everywhere.' But in fact, he is often ahead and always in the right place, because he has great situational intelligence. He already had it but accentuated it even more.

Small details missing at international level

At some point, when you are going very fast (he was flashed at 35.5 km/h in Marcoussis, Editor's note), when you are technical and you feel the blows, that makes the difference offensively and defensively. And what's more, he's consistent… Even if physically he's less well, mentally he hangs on and does the job. He may be less brilliant but does not underperform, while it is always difficult to digest a first season at a high level. Over one or two years, you can have crazy matches. Out of ten, it's much harder.

At the international level, he is still missing two or three small details, particularly in defense. He is good but can reach a level. Physically, he's not impressive so he makes up for it. Against Japan, he missed twice. At this level, it is seen more quickly and it can scare the staff. An effective center must anticipate to put goalkeepers and recover balls.

The future is so linked to different factors. If he is spared from injuries and club results follow, I think he will stay with the French team. Currently, he is already one of the six potential centers of the Blues with Costes, Depoortere, Frisch, Fickou and Moefana.

An obvious progression according to the figures

Contrary to impressions, if Emilien Gailleton's first season in Béarn was flamboyant, with 14 tries, the best total in the Top 14 2022-23, the second was much more successful in all sectors. Already, the former U20 international has established himself as an indisputable starter at the Section Paloise (1632 minutes against 1906).
Even if we weight the DSAS statistics with this gap in playing time, all the figures were significantly upwards. In 2023-2024, the center lost fewer balls (22 compared to 16), made more crossings (16 compared to 18), beat many more defenders (23 compared to 41) and multiplied the runs with the ball in a spectacular way (129 against 161).
Logically, Gailleton gained more meters with the ball in hand (786 against 817) and posed a greater threat on the advantage line (88 crossings against 104). Symbol of the evolution of his role in the Béarn game, he above all managed many more passes (62 against 97). On the other hand, he was always a little shaky defensively (48 missed tackles against 44). And over the first third of the current season, most of these figures are proportionally declining.