Aligned at the opening during the fall tour with the XV of France, Thomas Ramos establishes himself as a centerpiece of the French game. If the competition with Matthieu Jalibert was debated before the start of the tour, the Toulouse man managed to get everyone to agree, including illustrious former players. His playing intelligence, his precision with his feet and his complicity with Antoine Dupont have become crucial assets for the Blues, who shone this fall.
Gaming intelligence at the service of the collective
If he prefers to play at the back by his own admission, Thomas Ramos proves that he also excels with the number 10 in the back. Christophe Lamaison, legend of French rugby, is full of praise via Sud Ouest: “ He is capable of doing extraordinary things, it is almost genius. […] No matter what number he has on his back, he tries to make every situation better. »
His versatility, coupled with his steely mentality and his reliability as a scorer, makes him an essential asset. For Lamaison, Ramos embodies what a number 10 should be: a player in whom his partners have total confidence. « The character Ramos has this aura which makes him a great unifier. He doesn't give up. In small clubs, we would say that it is a “painful”. »
Beyond his technical qualities, Ramos shines with his ability to adapt to the demands of the game. Olivier Magne underlines for Rugbyrama: “ It was he who printed the collective strategy. He set the tempo, he played in tune. What a player, honestly. » This tactical sense was decisive, especially against opponents as formidable as New Zealand. Knowing how to slow down the game, wait for the right moment to accelerate and make the right decisions under pressure are valuable qualities at this level.
A Dupont-Ramos association that sparks
The Ramos-Dupont duo, already experienced with Stade Toulousain, worked wonders in the blue jersey. In just two matches, this hinge offered six assists on the eleven tries scored by the XV of France. Ramos, thanks to his vision of the game and his creativity, allowed the Blues to make the difference in pivotal moments such as against the All Blacks.
This alchemy is based on their long common history: on the 23 associations between the two players, they total 21 victoriesone draw and only one defeat, dating from 2019, notes Midol once again. This complicity, coupled with Dupont's ability to attract defenses, allows Ramos to fully express himself and open spaces for his teammates.
Towards a shaken hierarchy at the opener position?
With the expected return of Romain Ntamack, the question of hierarchy at number 10 arises. « That doesn't make him number 1 since we're still waiting for Romain to return. But in any case he is the one who understood that number 10 must have the trust of his partners. And he won it. » However, Ramos' performances add welcome depth to the squad.
Its ability to play at the back or open, while maintaining a level of excellence, offers the staff varied tactical solutions. Ultimately, this versatility could prove to be a major strategic advantage for the Blues. « Is he better in 10 than in 15? Even if he has a temperament, he is not the tallest of full-backs (Editor's note, 1.78 m). You now have to be almost 1.90 m tall! At this level, I think he has more of a number 10 profile. But it's a very personal opinion », decides Lamaison for Southwestt.
Ramos essential to the XV of France
Thomas Ramos once again demonstrated why he is unanimously considered one of the best international scorers. With an impressive success rate of 87,5 % on this tour according to the Midi Olympique, he knew how to be present in the decisive moments. Against New Zealand, his six out of six against the posts gave the Blues a one-point victory, confirming the importance of his qualities at the foot. Only 72 points by Frédéric Michalak, Ramos could become the best director in the history of the Blues in the months to come. A performance which underlines his growing influence within the France team.
Thomas Ramos is not just an exceptional scorer or versatile player. Over the course of this tour, he became a technical and mental leader for the French team. With his performance at flyhalf, he not only lived up to expectations but also broadened the prospects of the French game. One thing is certain: Ramos is now essential, whether in 10 or 15.
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