“I want to play for the French team”: Tyler Duguid, MHR second row, aims high

Tyler Duguid est devenu indispensable au sein de l’équipe montpelliéraine. Midi Libre – SYLVIE CAMBON

Devenu incontournable avec le MHR, le Canadien Tyler Duguid ne se fixe pas de limite et espère un jour jouer pour l’équipe de France. Le deuxième ligne devrait être de la partie contre le Stade Toulousain ce samedi 21 septembre, 15h30.

20 matches two years ago, 30 last season (including 17 as a starter)… Tyler Duguid (2.01m, 124kg) has established himself in the MHR pack. Discreet off the field, the Canadian is moving to the green rectangle. His devastating tackles, his activity in the shadows and his progress in touch make him a must-have.

After turning over Posolo Tuilagi last week against Perpignan (7-26), the second row could be opposed to another giant, Emmanuel Meafou. An exciting challenge for him.

Originally from Edmonton in Western Canada, Canadian U20 international, Duguid does not hide his ambitions to one day wear the blue jersey. And his profile is not legion in the French team…

You are coming off a tough season last year with thirty matches played, you played the first two. How are you doing??

Very well. A little tired, but I'm fine. Last year, it was hard to play matches back to back. 30 games out of 32, it's a lot for the body but I feel good.

Did you put a target on Posolo Tuilagi last week ? The tackle you inflicted on him has been all over the networks…

Before each game, I target the other number 5. In this case, he was getting a little too close to the line and I didn't want him to score. It was an important moment in the game, I couldn't miss.

There is a lot of competition at your position with Paul Willemse and Bastien Chalureau. Have you reached a milestone??

Yes, I feel like it. Even when Paul is injured, I want to show that I have my place, to perform. Emmanuel Meafou this weekend? I hope he plays, yes. It feels good to play this kind of players, it makes my game evolve.

"I'm doing the paperwork"

What is the next step now ?

We have to win, we have to string together victories. Afterwards, personally, obviously, I would like to discover the international level. I want to play for the French team. But before that, I have to put my team in the best conditions.

Have you already had contact with the French team ?

No. I have been playing in the Top 14 for three years. I started during the Covid period. There were nine matches in one month. I was young. And after this sequence, the coaches told me that I could have my French passport. And so apply for the Blues if I wanted.

Do you have your passport ?

I'm in the process of doing the paperwork to get it.

What are the areas that you need to work on ? We saw you jump and announce the touchline…

Announcing, it was the first time I did it against Perpignan. It puts a bit of pressure before the match. And I never jumped the touchline before I arrived in Montpellier four years ago. I'm not the best jumper so I prefer to take care of lifting Yacouba (Camara) or Lenni (Nouchi).