these French people who blazed… or failed in 2024

ON THE RISE

Thomas Ramos, la double dimension

Champion of France and Europe with Toulouse at the end of epics where he played a major role, the back of the Rouge et Noir has especially changed dimension with the XV of France. Promoted to the position of fly-half during the last 6 Nations Tournament, Thomas Ramos perfectly managed the last two matches of the Blues, notably giving his team victory against England thanks to an incredible penalty. In the absence of Antoine Dupont, he took on important responsibilities before carrying out a very high-level autumn tour. An exceptional 2024 vintage for Mazamétain. P. G.

Louis Bielle-Biarrey, at full speed

Louis Bielle-Biarrey's progress is dazzling. Like his speed. At only 21 years old, the winger or fullback from Union Bordeaux-Bègles has won his starting place with the XV of France. Already fielded during the World Cup and during the last Six Nations Tournament, he participated in the very good season of the Girondins despite the historic disappointment received in the Top 14 final against Toulouse. But this season, the player trained at Seyssins then at Grenoble has changed dimension. With the Blues, Bielle-Biarrey was one, if not the best player of the autumn tour with four tries scored in three matches where his supersonic speed impressed opponents and the general public. His ability to be sure under aerial balls and his remarkable qualities in defense despite a relatively light size compared to modern wingers make him one of the main offensive weapons of the Blues in the months and years to come. Certainly one of the greatest discoveries in French rugby in recent years. And it's not over… T. L.

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Nolann Le Garrec reaches a milestone

Since his professional debut, he has been heralded as a future crack player. A gem of French rugby. And, this year, Nolann Le Garrec has changed dimension, whether at club or with the French team. At Racing 92, he is the one who drives the game, sets the tone and creates danger. The game of Ciel et Blanc relies a lot on its play, with the foot (long and fair) or with the hand. Rare passing speed. This year, with the French XV, he shook up the hierarchy of number 9s. It's not easy to live in the shadow of Antoine Dupont, one of the best players in the world. But the Breton has, in the eyes of Fabien Galthié's staff, become number two in the hierarchy, ahead of Maxime Lucu. Confirming his immense talent. Next year, he could change dimension again, since he has signed with Stade Rochelais, one of the best clubs in the elite. While Racing 92 is struggling and will be deprived of one of its best players. If not the best. A. C.

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Teddy Thomas, the new challenge

Despite his offensive success, the La Rochelle winger was regularly criticized for his defensive errors. Not to mention the multiple injuries and other relapses which hampered each of his rises to power. And then, Teddy Thomas became a dad. A meaning to his life and a new maturity. The body gets better, the mind follows. Especially since Ronan O'Gara, the Stade Rochelais coach, offers him a new challenge: reconverting to the three-quarter center position. Mission accepted. With success. The 31-year-old scored 5 tries in his first five starts. Flashback. His name is mentioned again for the XV of France (in vain for the moment) and Stade Toulousain is paying him urgent attention. With success. Next season, Teddy Thomas will play with the Pink City club. For at least two years. Let's face it, the prospect of seeing his speed and fire support serving the red and black attack line is very enticing… D. R.

FALLING

Cameron Woki missing

At the end of the Grand Slam achieved by the Blues in 2022, Cameron Woki was one of the executives of the XV of France. His reconversion from the third to the second line was a success, a valuable sideline captain, he also brought all his dynamism to the game. And then, he changed clubs, leaving UBB, where he had broken through at the highest level , for Racing 92, close to his family ties in Île-de-France. The beginning of the end? We can think so. He initially struggled to acclimatize to his new club and has since never regained his best level. “I think I don't exploit my potential to 100% when I'm second row. But I'm always happy to be on the pitch.” he confided at the end of last season. In the French team, Woki lost his immunity totem. Only three selections at the start of the Tournament. He was no longer called up after the pitiful draw against Italy (13-13). He was just recalled during the November tour after the withdrawal of Pierre Bochaton (UBB), content to just be a training partner. A real downgrade which is concomitant with the emergence of Toulouse's Emmanuel Meafou, who quickly became essential. A. C.

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Jonathan Danty, clear decline in the hierarchy

A strong man in French rugby in recent years, the Rochelais went through a very complicated year 2024. Since the quarter-final of the 2023 World Cup lost to South Africa, Jonathan Danty has not been seen at his best. Ghostly during the end of the season at Stade Rochelais, author of a mediocre Six Nations Tournament (notably expelled during the draw against Italy), he clearly fell back in the hierarchy of the XV of France and did not experience the slightest match sheet during the last autumn tour. P. G.

Sekou Macalou, fallen executive

When, in 2021, he extended his contract with Stade Français for five years, the highly coveted third row was presented by the Parisian club as its headliner, the leader of the “next” generation. Everything was going well until the Top 14 semi-final last June. Since then, Sekou Macalou, already absent from the extended group of the French XV since the elimination in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, is also less and less visible with the Pink Soldiers. Nine match sheets, but only four starts since the start of the season. The last one, against Saracens in mid-December, showed a player feeling uncomfortable, feverish, unable to maintain his composure. For a very ugly headline on the London scrum-half and a red card in the 20th minute of this Champions Cup match. Consequence, 3 weeks of suspension and a return to the field not before 2025. Sekou Macalou is no longer essential in Paris. An unexpected loss of influence for a stretching slump. D. R.

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Demba Bamba, between hope and despair

Brilliant with the under-20s, pillar Demba Bamba was promised a bright future in the jersey of the XV of France. But poor health and physical problems slowed him down for a long time, despite his 29 caps. In 2024 with Lyon, he had only played 10 matches in all competitions but was selected for the Blues' South American tour. Unfortunately during the last meeting against Argentina, the pillar ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Operated, Demba Bamba has not yet returned and will undoubtedly have to wait. A hard blow for him, of course, but also for the XV of France which, at one time, was considering a credible successor to Uini Atonio on the right of the fray. Anyone who has decided to join Racing 92 will have to be patient before returning to the field. And when we see that Georges-Henri Colombe or Tevita Tatafu did not disappoint, the task promises to be difficult… T. L.