Six Nations 2024: time to take stock of the Blues before the list for the Tournament
|Damian Penaud (left) and Fabien Galthié (right). EPA – YOAN VALAT
A few days before the announcement, on Wednesday, of the list of 34 players selected to play the first match of the Six Nations Tournament against Ireland on February 2, many Blues shone this weekend -end in the Champions Cup.
Mauvaka sees double
In demonstration in Ulster, the French internationals from Stade Toulouse (winner 48-24) shone, like hooker Peato Mauvaka, author of two of Toulouse's seven tries and decisive passer for Antoine Dupont. But he was not the only one: the powerful second row Emmanuel Meafou and the winger Matthis Lebel, who could both be called up for the first time by Fabien Galthié, also scored a try.
In an irresistible La Rochelle team against the English Leicester (45-12 victory), third row and captain Grégory Alldritt was once again decisive in the impact. As for the backs, Brice Dulin and Antoine Hastoy also shone and reassured after a more delicate start to the season.
Peato Mauvaka. MAXPPP – Gareth Fuller
The "patrouille de France" unfolds
Greeted by an announcing Marseillaise after the break, the 100% tricolor back line of Bordeaux-Bègles played its rugby against Saracens (55-15 victory). Wingers Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey each scored twice.
Opener Mathieu Jalibert made a stunning breakthrough in the English defense on a try from Penaud, before imitating his partner in the second half, a few minutes after a try from Nicolas Depoortere. In great form since the start of the season, the UBB center could be one of the surprises on Fabien Galthié's list.
Bourgarit joins the infirmary
A tackle and tears. In the 48th minute of a hitherto perfect match for the Rochelais, hooker Pierre Bourgarit remained on the ground, holding his right shoulder after a tackle. Result: an exit in tears and an absence that could last "at least three to four months", according to his manager Ronan O'Gara.
Pierre Bourgarit should therefore join the injured list for the Six Nations Tournament, which already includes Bordeaux pillars Sipili Falatea and Toulon Jean-Baptiste Gros, and second row Thibaud Flament, forfeited for the opening match against Ireland, but who should return to the group next.
Pierre Bourgarit MAXPPP – NICOLAS GOISQUE
Uncertainty also hovers around La Rochelle center Jonathan Danty, who suffered a concussion against Leicester on Sunday.
Jaminet too tender
Like his duel lost in the air with Munster winger Calvin Nash, who then flattened himself in the RCT in-goal, Melvyn Jaminet once again produced a performance punctuated by errors and approximations on Saturday, which did not help Toulon to redress the balance in the Champions Cup (29-18 defeat).
In Bath, where Racing 92 lost 29-25, right pillar Thomas Laclayat, expected to replace Bordeaux's Silipi Falatea, struggled in the scrum, despite being one of his strengths, by being penalized several times in the first period.