France U20: “I still have the chills”, Montpellier Maël Perrin talks about his adventure with the Bleuets, before challenging Italy

Une première pour le solide joueur du MHR. MAXPPP – ESCOFFIER FLORIAN

Le Montpelliérain Maël Perrin va connaître sa première titularisation avec les Bleuets, ce vendredi soir (20h45), à Béziers, contre l'Italie.

The versatile second line/third line center of the MHR will wear, this Friday evening against Italy in Béziers, the number 8 of the French U20 team. A first tenure which rewards this big guy of 1.95m and 115 kg.

What made you take up rugby ?

My family is rugby. My father did it, my grandparents did too, so obviously, I was introduced to rugby very young.

Which club did you make your debut in?

At RC Pays de Sommières around 8 years old. Then I went to RCNîmes from 2017 to 2021, and finally, I arrived in Montpellier en Crabos after selections.

This season was your professional debut, what do you remember ?

I was able to start against the Lions in Challenge. It's weird because there are a lot of names next to each other, but afterwards, we quickly get into the match and we don't have time to stress too much. Plus, I was tenured, so I jumped right in.

Before being called up by France U20, had you already tasted the youth selections ?

I was able to do U20 development last season, for the tour in France against Ireland, we played two matches, one in Cahors and one in Graulhet.

🔥 𝑳𝒂 𝒗𝒐𝒊𝒍𝒂̀ 𝒏𝒐𝒕𝒓𝒆 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 pour nos Bleuets face à l'Italie 😍

🏟️ Direction le stade Raoul Barrière à Béziers pour la 3ème rencontre du tournoi #SixNationsU20 2024 !

🎟️ https://t.co/tb5LxOGzm5 #FranceU20 #NeFaisonsXV #FRAITA pic.twitter.com/957nr922g3

— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) February 21, 2024

You have discovered the “great team” U20 against Ireland to open the Tournament with an entry that could have been decisive…

I said to myself: “When you come home, you have to give everything.” I came home for 15 minutes and gave it my all, and there it was… The try that I score is a consecration for the team and frankly, it's huge, everyone jumps on you… hellip; When I think about it, I still get chills.

A sold-out stadium in Aix, stands which should be well-stocked in Béziers, that boosts ?

When I entered the stadium in Aix, it was something huge, just the atmosphere, La Marseillaise… hellip; In addition, my family was in the stands and they will also be in Béziers.

Playing in front of loved ones is an added pressure?

Obviously, when the whole family, all the friends come, it’s an added pressure. But we prepared well for that, and we are ready.

With the personal objective of winning a place for the next U20 World Cup ?

Yes, that’s pretty much my goal. We'll see how things go on Friday evening against Italy, everything can be at stake there. But it will also involve grabbing professional minutes to give yourself visibility and then trying to continue with the World Cup.

What should we be wary of in the face of Italy ?

It plays a lot, it’s very physical on all contacts, so we will try to counter them in what they know how to do and then push the game to score as much as possible.

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