2023-09-26 10:52:00
“Antoine is our captain, he’s the best player in the world.” In one sentence, three-quarter center Arthur Vincent summed up the concern facing the French XV after the fracture of the Toulouse scrum half’s jaw against Namibia. Not only is he irreplaceable in the game, but at 26 years old, he has become an essential leader of the group well beyond the confines of the field.
His absence against Italy for the last match of the group stage, and perhaps beyond, even if optimism reigns regarding his possible return from the quarter-finals, therefore causes a double lack. So, who will the French staff choose to recover the armband in the short and perhaps a little longer term in this World Cup?
Unless there is a huge surprise from behind the fagots, Fabien Galthié will draw from his trusted men who are among his “Council of Wise Men”, which leaves five candidates. The case of Julien Marchand, injured during the opening match and who hopes to return soon, differs a little from that of his comrades. Roster review of the four other possible candidates.
Charles Ollivon
30 ans
37 selections
Club : RC Toulon
Position: Third line
The favorite is undoubtedly him. For several reasons. Firstly because before the induction of Antoine Dupont as captain of the Blues in 2022, it was he who held this role. At 30 years old, he has both experience at the highest level and that of the role of captain. When he arrived at the head of the French team, it was he who Fabien Galthié chose to take on this status of leader. With the Toulonnais, the coach liked the slightly bumpy path of the one who has hardened over the years.
“Quickly, the profile of Charles Ollivon stood out,” Galthié explained at the time. “Due to his career as a rugby player, which is not always easy. Brilliant player at Bayonne, Toulon, then in the French team . And the physical problems, the emptiness and almost nothing. We’ve all gone through those moments, moments that make you doubt but grow. He managed to come back, and come back very strong.”
In a clear sign, during the post-match conference against Namibia, it was Charles Ollivon who was seated alongside Fabien Galthié to answer questions from the media. A reassuring leader among the group, very listened to, a good communicator too, the one who became a record holder for the number of tries scored by a forward in the French team therefore seems ideally suited to embrace this role of captain, including if the absence of Dupont must have been longer than expected.
Charles Ollivon training with the Blues.
Credit: Getty Images
Grégory Damn it
26 ans
42 selections
Club: Stade Rochelais
Position: Third line
Another third line. Grégory Alldritt has taken a huge place in the game of the French XV in recent seasons. He has established himself as an essential leader in the game and in the locker room. He is one of the four members of the Council of Wise Men set up by Fabien Galthié, from whom it is a safe bet that the captain against Italy (and more eventually) will emerge. Then, after all, the captain of Stade Rochelais, double European champion, is him.
On the other hand, he only occupied this role once in the French team. It was during the preparation match for the World Cup this summer against Fiji. He seems to have quite thrived there. “It’s a great honor, I feel a lot of pride, but it’s a label that doesn’t change the person I am,” summed up the maritime flanker. Can Galthié take a step forward with him in a very different context next week?
What changes here is that the next captain will not be just for one match, as was the case for Alldritt against Fiji, but until the return of Antoine Dupont, who will perhaps be in the match next, but no one can guarantee it at this time given the nature of the blue scrum-half’s injury. At this stage, Greg Alldritt acts more as a joker, who passed his first test successfully, than as a favorite. Especially since his knee injury leaves a little doubt about his own presence against the Squadra.
Alldritt in action, group play and dexterity exercise: Monday’s training for the Blues
Gaël Fickou
29 ans
70 selections
Club : Racing 92
Position: Three-quarter center
He does not have the media and popular stature of Antoine Dupont, he goes to queens less often than Damian Penaud, but Gaël Fickou is also a must for this French team and he has all the confidence of Fabien Galthié. It is not for nothing that the center of Racing 92 was also integrated into this famous Council of Wise Men.
With more than 80 caps under his belt under the age of 30, he has invaluable experience at the highest level. Above all, with the Blues, he has experienced everything, from the deepest disasters in the heart of the 2010s to the rebirth of the last campaigns. It was really during the Galthié era that he established himself both as an indestructible starter but also as a respected leader. There is great trust between the two men.
Regarding the captaincy, Fickou never asked for anything. He was able to suggest, sometimes, as during the last Tournament, when he spoke of his pleasure in encouraging, speaking, saying things within the group and reprimanding if necessary, while recalling that, among young people, he had very quickly assumed this status. It would be a little surprise to see him appointed, but ultimately, would it really be so surprising given his place in this team, his links with the staff and his enormous experience?
Gaël Fickou and Damian Penaud
Credit: Imago
Anthony Jelonch
27 ans
27 selections
Club: Stade Toulousain
Position: Third line
Imagine for a second that Antoine Dupont is not able to return and that the France team finishes this World Cup with Anthony Jelonch at its head. Imagine, again, that it was him who lifted the William Webb Ellis trophy at the end of October at the Stade de France. What revenge on destiny it would be for him, who believed he would be deprived of this 2023 World Cup at home after his cruciate knee ligament rupture against Scotland during the 2023 Tournament.
We’re not there yet but one thing’s for sure, now that he’s back, Jelonch is back on this team. It is no coincidence that the staff named him captain for Uruguay, for his first match after six months of absence. But Uruguay was by nature a simple interim, the XV having been almost completely reshuffled after the initial fight against the All Blacks.
The situation is different this time but the Toulousain, a great friend of… Antoine Dupont in life, has already occupied the role of captain with the Blues, from the summer tour to Australia in 2021. A rather taciturn captain, not fond of big phrases, long tirades and rants, he imposes a form of natural authority which pleased the rest of the group.
Jelonch starting against Uruguay: “I think it’s fantastic but I’m worried”
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