XV of France: leadership, bilingual, bon vivant… Gregory Alldritt, new captain of the Blues ready for the Tournament

Gregory Alldritt during the 2023 World Cup quarter-final against South Africa MAXPPP – Olivier Corsan

Appointed captain of the XV of France in the absence of Antoine Dupont, third row Grégory Alldritt will have the mission of putting the Blues back on the path to success during the 2024 Six Nations Tournament, after the # failure of the 2023 World Cup and two months of break from rugby.

A little over three months after the elimination in the quarter-finals of the World Cup in France against South Africa (29-28) and without Antoine Dupont, turned towards rugby sevens and the Paris-2024 Olympic Games, Fabien Galthié wanted to "change leadership".

To do this, the coach has set his sights on Grégory Alldritt (26 years old, 45 caps).

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🇫🇷 Grégory Alldritt pic.twitter.com/L0jbm9csLd

— Six Nations (FR) (@SixNations_FR) January 28, 2024

A new captain encouraged

Natural leader and captain of La Rochelle, he was preferred to flanker Charles Ollivon, another contender for the armband as vice-captain of Dupont.

"As I told Fabien, it's a very, very great honor, a lot of pride", declared Alldritt who had already fulfilled this role in August, in a preparation match for the World Cup, against Fiji (34-17).

"I'm very glad it's Greg. I'm not at all worried about him", commented Dupont, adding that the third line "will be able to fulfill his role and will be very well supported& ;quot; by other executives like center Gaël Fickou or fullback Thomas Ramos.

Physical and mental regeneration

An indisputable starter at La Rochelle and in the French team, Alldritt played 34 matches, including 31 as a starter, between the start of last season and the quarter-final of the 2023 World Cup.

Also read: XV of France: Sempéré, Arlettaz, Jeanjean… Who are the new faces of the staff ?

So after the elimination in front of the Boks, the third center line made the decision, in agreement with his club, to cut away from rugby. A break which lasted two and a half months, until his return on December 30 against Stade Toulouse.

This break to regenerate physically and mentally, Alldritt had it in mind "for a long time". A break which did him "a lot of good", as he explained to AFP: "Going back down to the South ( he is from Gers), going to my brother's wedding in Scotland… These are things that are important to me and that I don't necessarily manage to do in normal times, recalled the Rochelais, double reigning European champion.

Precursor of an almost essential practice ? 

"If I had to do it again, I would do it. It’s work on the future, to come back even stronger afterwards. The objective was to regenerate better in order to come back better.

Gregory Alldritt during the 2023 World Cup EPA – YOAN VALAT

"It's almost a first in France. I think that Grégory, with his club, was a precursor of a form of regeneration that we will perhaps see a little more in the future and which is surely necessary. ;, explained the performance director of the XV of France Nicolas Jeanjean, who found Alldritt "very fresh physically" upon his arrival in Marcoussis.

"I feel like it really did him some good. The schedule is very busy but it would be good if the players were free to have rest if they needed it", said third wing row François Cros.

Relaxed and calm

Beyond his freshness, Alldritt has several assets to lead the Blues towards conquest of the Tournament, the first deadline of "season 2" of the Galthié mandate which will lead to the 2027 World Cup in Australia.

Because the Rochelais is "truly a leader of men", recalled Paul Boudehent. "I have not known fifty captains but, He is really calm. He brings this calm and serenity to the field", he further assured. "Outside, he's a bon vivant, a joker. He loves life (smile). He's someone who unites on and off the field", added the third line.

A Gregory Alldritt insurance against Italy, during the 2023 World Cup. MAXPPP – Adam Davy

Gersois of Scottish origin, Alldritt also has a better command of English than some of his partners, a valuable asset for interacting with the five Anglo-Saxon referees who will direct the matches of the Blues during the Tournament.

Among the best players in the world in his position, the new captain of the Blues will be expected to begin his new role, in a shock against Ireland on Friday in Marseille.