If there is a player who was patient before winning his first cap, it is him, Marko Gazzotti, called to the bench for the last match of the Autumn Nations Series against Argentina on Friday November 22. As Galthié says, Gazzo came to get the jersey.
Of the eight novices called up by Fabien Galthié and his staff just before the start of the Autumn Nations Series, he is the third after right pillar Tevita Tatafu (Japan and New Zealand) and fullback Romain Buros (New Zealand) to know a first selection this fall with the XV of France.
Already summoned during the 2024 Tournament to prepare for the match against Italy, Marko has been to all the Blues' preparation camps so far since October 26, a month after his 20th birthday, but had never been selected before. .
Best U20 player in 2023
Marko Gazzotti. French rugby is starting to know this name, and for good reason: elected best player of the U20 World Cup in 2023, the year of the Bleuets' third consecutive coronation, this explosive third row leaves no one indifferent. Only 18 years old at the time, he was already shining in a tournament where he was outclassed. He was spotted while playing in Pro D2 for Grenoble.
Today at Union Bordeaux-Bègles, the young Savoyard was called up to play in the 2024 Six Nations Tournament both with the U20s (a selection against England) and with the seniors. Fabien Galthié's staff had in fact summoned him among the 34 to prepare for the shock against Italy. At 19, he was on the verge of his first blue cape. He will wait until he is 20 to meet her.
He speaks French and Lithuanian
Trained in Grenoble, Gazzotti (1.92 m, 110 kg) is not just a simple physical player. Considered the future of the Blues in the third line, the training number 8 can cover the entire third line with a top speed of 33 km/h. Raised in rugby since the age of 5, this son of a former Lithuanian handball player (whose language he speaks) and a father of Italian origins is an explosive mix of power (89% tackle success this season in Top 14), intelligence and technique.
Prevented from fully developing due to injuries (thumb, ankle) last year, he came back stronger this season and was called up for the first nine games, including six as a starter.
For Yannick Bru, the UBB manager, “Marko is a force of nature. His speed combined with his power makes him a dominant player in contact. He is also formidable in the rucks. » Qualities which, added to his playing intelligence and his ability to move his team forward, make him an exceptional player, he who wants to be like his stars: “Richie McCaw and Thierry Dusautoir for the shadow work, Louis Picamoles because he was always moving forward.”
Praise of Moefana
In 2023, Toulon and Montpellier already wanted it, but Bordeaux was able to attract the nugget. He plays very well there alongside three-quarter center Yoram Moefana (23 years old, 30 caps).
“Marko is a nice guy,” he confides. “He was too strong at the start of the season. Every time he took the ball, he took everyone apart. We are lucky in Bordeaux to have young people like Gazzo. He’s really someone who has power, speed. It goes straight and doesn't think. »
There is no doubt that his place in the 23 for this Friday, November 22 is deserved. Today, Gazzotti is establishing himself as a future great. Whether in the Girondin jersey or with the XV of France, one thing is certain: Marko has not finished talking about him.
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