With his performance, did Paul Boudehent shake up the established order in the third line?

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Paul Boudehent should he start against New Zealand on Saturday November 16 at the Stade de France? The question deserves to be asked and it will surely be asked in the minds of Fabien Galthié's staff after the victory against Japan (52-12). Entering in the 33rd minute in place of the injured Thibaud Flament, he led to the repositioning of Alexandre Roumat in the 2nd line and played 50 minutes in his favorite position for an XXL performance.

A double to salute his offensive performance

Impressive since the start of the season with La Rochelle, Paul Boudehent, replacing at kick-off, continued his momentum. Despite his versatility, the staff put him on the wing of the 3rd line for 50 minutes at a very high level. He scored his first try following a breakthrough from Antoine Dupont (54th), very present in support after a ruck, he flattened despite three Japanese on his back to collapse behind the line. His second achievement of the evening is more or less of the same ilk, since he also came to powerfully conclude an offensive sequence for the Blues after a nice breakthrough (65th). He therefore scored these first two tries in the blue jersey this evening at the Stade de France. A just reward.

A defensive rock that has earned all its impacts

But, more than offensively, it was defensively that the Rochelais was of unparalleled power. He pushed the Japanese back on almost every impact, not allowing them to gain the advantage line. He finished the match with 19 tackles and no failures, a sign of the almost perfect match he had. Also present to slow down the Japanese rucks, he provided a performance in the heart of the fight which could be a serious asset against the New Zealand pack.

So the question really arises. Should Paul Boudehent start against the All-Blacks? As a reminder, the French XV will host New Zealand on Saturday November 16 at 9:10 p.m. at the Stade de France.

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