Arthur Retière, the punch of a "serial marker"

Within the XV of France, the wingman position is undoubtedly the one where there are the most questions, changes. With the injuries of Vincent Rattez (fracture of the fibula) and Damian Penaud (calf, probably back against Scotland), the tricolor staff had chosen to line up Cardiff Gaël Fickou, usual center, and Teddy Thomas, whose placements defensive are - again and again - more than approximate. Sanction or not, the Racing winger had replaced in the 65th minute at the Principality Stadium. Very rare coaching for this position. Would he be in danger for the trip to Scotland on March 8? To have. In any case, behind him, another hope of French rugby, Arthur Retière, stands ready to seize his chance.

»READ ALSO - XV of France: The meteoric rise of Anthony Bouthier

The La Rochelle winger (22) was called in the group of 42 players before the second match against Italy, in place of Parisian Lester Etien. Difficult to miss its performances this season. Saturday, against RC Toulon, he indeed registered his eighth try of the season, the seventh in front of the public of Marcel-Deflandre, to become the best scorer of the Top 14. Mystifying in passing, with a formidable hook, the Toulonnais Gervais Cordin, his childhood friend (they had the same nanny!). No feelings. But punch and devastating support. Arthur Retière is a small format (1.70 m for 72 kg) but a real electric battery.

“He tries things and especially I don't feel him locked in a shackle. He is not a player who puts pressure on himself and he likes to take initiatives ”

His qualities of speed and explosiveness have also made him change positions since his arrival at the Stade Rochelais in 2016, after having passed through the training center of Racing 92. At the base, he was half scrum but he converted - successfully - to the wing or to the rear. Xavier Garbajosa, the former coach of the three quarters of La Rochelle (who left for Montpellier), did not hesitate to speak of him, and of Vincent Rattez, as "free electrons". Son of the National Technical Director Didier Retière and Christine, a former handball player (in the 4th division), the one who is nicknamed "Fifou" knew all the French teams in the youth category and even the French team at 7, participating at stages of the world circuit. A planned ascent, started in Nuits-Saint-Georges in Burgundy and only slowed down by a rupture of the cruciate ligaments in August 2017, for the first match of the season. After scoring two tries… Thereafter, it logically took a little time to relaunch, before exploding last season (9 tries) and extending into Charente Maritime until 2022.

In the pre-list of 65 before the World Cup

At the time, his father had greeted "the gas" found from his son: "He tries things and especially I do not feel him locked in a shackles. He is not a player who puts pressure on himself and likes to take initiatives. We feel that it gives its full dimension on the ground. ” In November 2018, he was called by the French Barbarians to face Tonga. His name is mentioned more and more to move to the upper floor. Before the last World Cup in Japan, he was on the list of 65 players followed by the staff of Jacques Brunel. But he hadn't crossed the cut.

"My goal is to go back (to Marcoussis), when we have tasted it, that's what we want, necessarily"

On this Renewal Tournament for the Blues “new look”, for the moment he is making the number in training, cashing in the workloads. In the meantime better. What should it improve? "Maybe the kick, things like that, the high balls. It is up to me to work on it to perhaps hope to get there, "he recognized in the columns of Sud Ouest . Determined to settle in blue and upset the hierarchy. “My goal is to go back (to Marcoussis), when we have tasted it, that's what we want, of course. It will go through the club, by continuing to make good matches and to work, "he continues. For now, success and efficiency are on his side. But he would like to remind him: "If I cross (the advantage line), it is because the others have done the job before ..."

Read also

• XV of France: and now the Grand Slam ...
• Ibanez: "We don't get drunk"