The meteoric rise of Anthony Bouthier

We can still hear him, shortly after the announcement of the 42 players selected to prepare for the 2020 Tournament, to confide his disbelief with a reserve tinged with pride. “I find it hard to realize. Having a game sheet during the Tournament would be the apotheosis… ”It will be much better. Anthony Bouthier honored his third tenure in as many games in Cardiff. Has registered his first try in blue at the Millennium. Above all, he confirmed that he had the level. Safe when receiving missiles from the opposite camp. Effective in his footwork. Surprising on some reminders.

It is not that we doubted it. But his atypical journey did not offer any guarantees. Four years ago, the new back of the XV de France was still playing in the 3rd division with RC Vannes. Before discovering the Pro D2 and, just six months ago, the ultimate rung, with Montpellier. At 27! He therefore landed in blue with, for any experience, fourteen tenure in Top 14. Or much less experience than the earliest talents called like him for the first time…

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Frankly, this lack of experience at the highest level was, once again, not seen in the pressure cooker of Cardiff which has petrified more than one Blue in the past. But Anthony Bouthier played like an old man. Without ever panicking. By controlling his emotions. "I am still surprised by many things," slips the person concerned. I'm already discovering new stages. It is not easy to tackle. But I'm starting to understand better. It's also easier, by chaining matches, with the staff who trust me. "

“We set the goal of winning everything. We're still racing. We must continue ... "

Easy ? The word calls out. We point him out. He smiles, embarrassed by his audacity. “I am well helped by the staff who take care of the new ones, well surrounded by the teammates. All week, they prepare us for this hostile environment. Stay cold for 80 minutes. Especially the last twenty. To hold on to the end. This was again the case. For a third success, this time in a stadium where the XV of France has been breaking its teeth for a decade. “It was a first big test against the semi-finalists of the last World Cup. But we gave everything once again, ”sums up, in his own way, the one who was still an amateur, and a mason by profession, six years ago.

He is not fooled. Realizes perfectly that his ascent is dazzling, improbable, rare. “It is a historic victory. We're coming, we're new, we just have to make a good match. We work well and we are humble, ”recites Anthony Bouthier. Before becoming more ambitious. “We set the goal of winning everything. We're still racing. We must continue… ”He did not say the words Grand Slam. We do it for him. Retreat. “We are still far from it. There are still two complicated games left. We will try to hold out until the end. "

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