As France hit the top of the World Cup Rankings and with the Rugby World Cup 2023 on the horizon, TRU looks at the cream of the crop in Les Bleus at the moment.
Book your place at the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France with sportsbreaks.com
France's chances in their home World Cup couldn't be better as they recently ascended the World Rugby rankings to number 1. They are in Pool A with Namibia, Uruguay, Italy and their toughest test, New Zealand, who are trying to gain some consistency and momentum heading into the final year before RWC2023.
But let's take a look at some of the French stars you should keep an eye out for come Friday 9th September where France start their campaign against a formidable opponent in the All Blacks.
Antoine Dupont
We had to start off with arguably the most in-form players in the world right now: Antoine Dupont. The electric number 9 is a Top 14 champion, European Champions Cup champion, voted Best Player of the Top 14, voted Best player of the European Champions Cup and not to mention a pivotal role in France's Six Nations Grand Slam this year, ending a 12 year Six Nations title drought for France in the process!
He has recently been left out of the French Summer internationals in Japan, along with number eight Gregory Alldritt, fly-half Romain Ntamack, hooker Julien Marchand and props Cyril Baille and Uini Atonio. But this is a tactical omission, and will give Dupont the time to recover after a huge last 2/3 years at the top of the game. A clever move from Fabien Galthié knwoing the talent he has and as the rugby calendar is about to get extremely busy in a World Cup year.
Most of the positive play that happens on the pitch for the French usually revolves around Dupont, he has a natural ability to take advantage of any opportunity. He has a sixth sense in finding oppportunities for line breaks and the offloads. Punching way above his weight with his powerful hand-off and explosive acceleration that allows him to turn defense into attack in the blink of an eye. He is such a well-rounded player, with a kicking game that is equally as strong as his running game...certainly one to watch come RWC2023.
Grégory Alldritt
Another Six Nations player of the tournament nominee and Champions Cup winner Alldritt has blossomed in a super talent within the French camp. He too has been rested from their Summer Tour to Japan, which isn't a reflection on his form, but more of a longevity move for the top French players. Both domestically with La Rochelle and internationally Alldritt has been consistently excellent, with a Grand Slam and European Champions Cup to show.
Alldritt is a bruising presence in the pack, at 6ft 3inch and over 250lbs his ability to steam into the opposition with his deceptional turn of pace and destructive leg drive. Still at only 25 years old he has a huge career ahead of him, but with a home World Cup on the horizon we are likely see the very best of the forceful Frenchman very soon.
Romain Ntamack
Romain is now a staple in the French backline, son of Les Bleus legend Émile, he is writing his own history on the international stage with this young, prolific, French squad.
The versatile fly-half was key in their win against New Zealand in last year's Autumn internationals and played a crucial role in their 2022 Grand Slam victory too.
He has a fantastic ability to carve open any international defense and along with extremely accurate distribution, which often delivers the killer blow. He has a very reliable kicking boot, impressive top speed and with his synchronised partnership with Dupont, could walk into any side as their starting 10.
Gabin Villière
Villière has had a very interesting journey to his international rugby career. Now, at 26 years old, just three year's ago he was playing in the French 3rd division as a replacement scrum-half, and now one of the most prolific try-scorering wingers in the Northern Hemisphere.
After his shock inclusion into the French international side, Villière had a successful July tour of Australia, along with the full 80 minutes in that landmark win over the All Blacks in the Autumn Internationals.
A tenacious player that packs a punch despite being 5ft 10inch and under 90kg, which is considerably small at the top level of the sport, that hasn't stopped him shinning on the wing for Les Bleus. These recent performances have made him undropable, and if not for his occasional injury issues, we will see him light up the RWC2023 come next year.
Gaël Fickou
Finally, it's the magic centre Gaël Fickou, making his test debut in 2013 at just 18 years old, he's had plenty of experience at the top level despite only being 28, with plenty still left in the tank.
Fickou has an innate ability to conjure something truly special from very little, a natural footballer with perfect balance and delicate footwork, it's easy to see why he's been at the top level for as long as he has.
Expect to see Fickou finding gaps in the strongest defensive lines, offloading in the most audacious manner, scoring solo efforts at the RWC...all done with an effortlessness rarely seen on the Rugby pitch.
Book your place at the Rugby World Cup 2023 in France with sportsbreaks.com
Other notable names: Charles Ollivon, Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand, Cameron Woki
