Anthony Bouthier: "Relaunching is part of my DNA"

Interview in Marcoussis

This match at Vannes is bound to have a special flavor for you ...

Anthony Bouthier: 

This is the first time that I am going to return to Vannes.

It makes me really happy to come back to this stadium.

It is a shame that there is nobody and that it is in camera.

But going back to these places will bring back good memories. 

Have you been in contact this week with former teammates at Vannes?

We have a WhatsApp group, we often keep up to date.

Every week, I follow their performances, they are quite incredible this year (they are leaders with 8 victories in 9 days, Editor's note).

We often write to each other to discuss our journeys and give each other news. 

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Are you surprised that they are so high this year?

Astonished, yes and no.

To string together so many victories, of course we are all surprised.

I think they are too.

It's incredible.

On the game, I'm not necessarily surprised because I knew that they have players and staff who are competent.

I want to congratulate them because they have made a great start to the season. 

When you were playing in Vannes, your manager Jean-Noël Spitzer was already emphasizing your ability to relaunch.

Even if it means scaring him ...

I went through teams, especially in Dax, where there is DNA there.

Where we were not afraid to play among young people.

I did not go through a training center where I could have been framed.

I was not necessarily afraid to play from my camp.

Jean-Noël picked me up several times so as not to do anything either ... (Smiles) But I have always come across staffs who gave me freedom in this game. 

You have had fifteen days to prepare for this match against Fiji.

Did this cut do any good?

Yes, we have just chained two international matches in a row, with a lot of volume and intensity.

Having a little rest behind is always good for the body and for the heads.

Especially since we also had a series in the league. 

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With the rule of three match sheets, you will surely play your last match of 2020 with the Blues on Sunday.

What conclusions do you draw from this year? 

In Blue, it is only positive.

I arrived in January and I discovered this team from France, how it works.

I felt good right away, from the internship in Nice.

After that, I had the chance to play against the English from the start, we had a great match, we won.

Starting with a win is much easier.

But, on top of that, it's a group, an atmosphere.

It continues today, it's pretty healthy, we are calm during the week and the weekend to perform well.

Every week, we question ourselves.

We know that we have to start again and work.

For me, these first matches in blue, it is only positive.  

The XV of France has again scored great tests this year.

Does French flair mean anything to you or is it a cliché?

We score a lot of tries on turn-overs, balls collected all over the field.

It is true that we, the French, have this DNA to be able to have this capacity (to mark tests).

But we are at the international level and our game must be structured to be able to do great things.   

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