The French XV will not lack offensive talent for the 6 Nations 2025. But at the end of the Champions Cup, the name of Damian Penaud is especially on everyone's lips. It must be said that the UBB winger remains on a rare, and even historic, performance: 6 tries scored in a single match.
Penaud, a special player
“He is an extraordinary winger, who is always there at the right time, in the right place, who feels the blows. He is very lucky too, he often has the right rebounds. But it causes luck“, confides Thibault Giroud via the Top Rugby show. We would be tempted to say that this is the very definition of a good winger, or even an excellent winger.
Penaud seems to be in a class of his own. The UBB performance director does not hesitate to say that he is “special“, and even “Why“. “He doesn't know what time it is or what day it is, but he's natural, he's great. Afterwards, as Yannick Bru saidyou shouldn't have four because otherwise it's complicated.“
Many clubs would pay a lot to have him in their ranks. For the moment, it is Bordeaux which is benefiting from its extraordinary qualities. And he seems to like it and is playing some of his best club rugby in a long time. A good omen for the XV of France with a view to the 6 Nations.
Blues who will be able to count on the former Clermontois and his teammate Louis Bielle-Biarrey. Two arrows in full flight that will have to be put in the right conditions so that they can shine. “The worst part is that he's not at all obsessed with trying. He is super altruistic. He doesn't care, just like he doesn't care about putting himself forward in the media or with sponsors.” explains Yannick Bru via the EPCR website.
-However, it's difficult not to make the headlines after such a performance. Now all eyes are on him. Pressure that could foil more than one player. But not Penaud. The winger is one of those who takes rugby above all as a game. And for whom pleasure on the meadow comes first.
“He's a genius, but he's also a crook”
After a complicated period in Clermont, he found the perfect environment in Bordeaux to express his talent. “I think he spends more time doing chess tutorials than looking at game plans during the week. But he's incredible. He has a capacity for anticipation, an ability to be in the right place at the right time, which is far above normal. So it’s no coincidence that he’s brilliant at chess too.”
Penaud, it's that friend at school who didn't revise and who always had an average of 16. An ease to shine on the field which makes Bru say that Penaud is “a genius, but he's also a crook. So he's a brilliant crook! He scores six tries: he alone has the recipe for its preparation, but it's true that he surprises us every day.” A method that works.
There is therefore no question for the Girondin staff to try to change it. And this, even if he launches into his famous cross races. “Above all, he is an exceptional athlete, who understands everything faster than the others. Honestly, he does more chess than rugby during the week. But the result is there, so we don't change anything.” Will he perform as well with the France team?
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