France benefits from a golden generation of young nuggets who have reigned on the oval planet for the past two seasons. Little by little, they are launched on the upper floor. After Romain Ntamack, Demba Bamba and Pierre-Louis Barassi, two other world champions in the under 20s, Cameron Woki and Arthur Vincent, tasted last Sunday the joys of the XV of France by entering the game against England. The latter, after Virimi Vakatawa's package, will honor his first selection on Sunday (4 p.m.) against Italy. After only a few seconds facing the XV de la Rose. A gift from management? “No, it was not a gift, reframed Fabien Galthié. We are not a works council that offers Christmas gifts and meals. Arthur Vincent came back because Virimi Vakatawa was worse and I knew there were two defensive climbs left to ensure. ”No small selection…
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“It was a great experience, it was great. It's complicated to put words on it, confided, a little intimidated, Arthur Vincent this week to Marcoussis. But it will remain beautiful memories. If we have to go back, so much the better. If we don't come back, it's because the team is going well. I was not afraid, it was already huge to be there. Things went well for us. On the bench, you always have to stay focused and not lose energy. ”
A "perfect journey" according to Galthié
This time, you will have to be ready for entry. With the confidence of the new Blues staff. "He's a player who has the perfect course," said Fabien Galthié. He was world champion (in 2018), then captain (in 2019). He is present on almost all match sheets in Montpellier and he is always very good with us during collective training. "And to continue:" We expect him to be himself, to bring us his strong points, namely its versatility. It is capable of being a regulator like an accelerator. He easily adapts to his partner in the center and to his half opening. ”
“He has an incredible maturity at his age. In terms of his attitude, it's a real good surprise. He has a direct and frank attitude ”
Raphaël IbanezWithin the XV de France new formula, generations mix, young people rub shoulders with the (a little) older, whether they are experienced or discover the very high international level. "There is no group," says the young three-quarter center. But we sometimes find ourselves between us. Like the other night when we ended up in Carbo's room (Louis Carbonnel) to give him some bad luck at Fifa (football video game). Living this alongside the guys with whom we have already experienced things, it's great. ”The integration of the newcomers went perfectly. "Yes, it's easy. All the players are super benevolent, he continues. It went very well and I feel good with all the groups. It was not complicated. Most of us know each other, either through clubs, through confrontations, or because we played together as young people. ”
For his part, the tricolor manager Raphaël Ibanez highlights the "capacity for integration with disconcerting ease" of Montpellier: "He has an incredible maturity at his age. In terms of his attitude, it's a real good surprise. He has a direct and frank attitude. "Fabien Galthié, rarely as laudatory on his players, notes that" everything seems natural, obvious to him. We can congratulate his educators and then his coaches. ”After being trained at RC Mauguio-Carnon, in the suburbs of Montpellier, he joined the MHR at 14 years old. Pure Hérault product. Sunday, Arthur Vincent will not be disoriented in the jersey since he will evolve alongside his teammates in club: the pillar Mohamed Haouas, the second line Paul Willemse and the back Anthony Bouthier.
“We knew he had talent. But there, it is not only talent. He knows how to work, he has his head on his shoulders and he learns quickly ”
Vern CotterLong caricatured as a team of South African mercenaries, Montpellier today shines with the quality of its training and its flair for recruiting "French". Rugby director Vern Cotter - leaving to train Fiji - did not hesitate to trust Arthur Vincent when he had to face a cascade of injuries in the center (Serfontein, Dumoulin, Steyn ...). The former mentor of Clermont and Scotland recently explained, in the columns of Midi Libre, that his young player "has a huge work ethic. He is a hard worker who always seeks to improve, who is always in the sharing. The questioning is permanent with him. We knew he had talent. But there, it is not only talent. He knows how to work, he has his head on his shoulders and he learns quickly. ”
Already 1,150 minutes of play this season with the MHR
Arrived at MHR this season, Xavier Garbajosa immediately trusted Arthur Vincent tenured 15 times (plus 2 times as a substitute) for a time of 1.150 minutes of play. Or more than during the last exercise (993 minutes) while the 2019-2020 season is far from over for the one who had been voted best player of the month in November in Top 14. “He's a boy, like Romain Ntamack or Louis Carbonel, where we say to ourselves: that one, he'll get there. They are connected, mature, intelligent, humble. There is little doubt about their destiny, even if there is always some uncertainty, explained Garbajosa in Midi Libre . Arthur is a complete player but still young, who must be given time to gamell a little to be able to continue to progress. He has to open up more, develop his footwork, his playing skills. But Arthur is one of the best at his job of his generation. ”One of the best, too, from the French tank.
The recognition of a talent programmed to succeed. But also of a real workaholic. “We have to keep things like our state of mind. But we still have a lot to work on, lots of little details. We always want to do more. Always progress, ”he insists. The XV of France, which shone in defense against the English, is now expected in attack against the Italians. This should go through Arthur Vincent, who will have the heavy task of replacing Virimi Vakatawa, the factor X of the Blues.
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