Oscars Midol – Nicolas Depoortere (UBB) receives the Oscar Espoir after an exceptional season, in Bordeaux-Bègles and with the XV of France

There were many of them on the starting line, at the end of a year which once again saw French rugby shine through its training. So many young people who exploded everywhere on the pitches of Top 14, from Théo Attissogbe to Baptiste Jauneau, from Hugo Reus to Léo Barré or Paul Coste. But there was only one left and it was ultimately quite logical that Nicolas Depoortere won, this Monday evening at the Pavillon Cambon Capucines (Paris 1), the 2024 Espoir Oscar for best young French player. The consecration of a season that is remarkable in every way.

“A potential monster”

This season which brought him to this award began, in September 2023, with gold already in his hands: freshly crowned under-20 world champion with the Bleuets, at the end of a World Cup where he had already shone brightly, the Bordeaux player was expected without further delay on the professional level of the UBB. He did not disappoint. Established 24 times (19 in Top 14) at the center of the Gironde attack, Depoortere quickly became an essential cog in his team. He was only 20 years old then. “He’s a hard worker, capable of repeating efforts with great intensity.” then said of him Benoît Baby, his coach in the under-20s. “With us, he was a potential monster. Nico is a simple guy, very human and funny. It was built through work and the desire to have fun.” The rocket was launched, pressed and quickly grabbed by even higher spheres.

The future in blue

Now installed at the center of the Gironde attack, author of ten tries and some major performances, Depoortere wasted no time in entering the debate of the XV of France. A promise quickly materialized, from the 6 Nations Tournament (2024). First called into Fabien Galthié’s groups, then promoted to the starting position during the trip to Wales and the reception of England, Nicolas Depoortere was just 21 years old when he embraced his international destiny. “Il has been with us for a year. He was with the U20s last year, but came to train with us to challenge us. He did all the group training on Tuesday and Wednesday. It is therefore a first selection prepared for a little over a year. It’s a constructed arrival” had then justified the coach of the XV of France, Fabien Galthié.

Absent from the tour in Argentina due to Top 14 then injured (fractured cheekbone) for the next autumn test matches, Depoorere has not seen the Blues since. Not a problem of level, only of opportunity. But the bright future belongs to him.