Saturday evening, Gaël Fickou was once again decisive during the stunning success of the XV of France against Wales (32-30).
On the try to win registered by Brice Dulin after the siren, he perfectly fixes the Welsh defense, blocking the race of George North, before shifting Arthur Vincent who then serves the back of the Blues.
Since the arrival of Fabien Galthié and his new staff, the tricolor center has become a part of the France team.
The Englishman Shaun Edwards even made him the captain of the French defense.
And, at each exit, Gaël Fickou, does not disappoint.
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XV of France, a little, a lot, madly
While he is currently in Marcoussis to prepare the last match of the Tournament against Scotland, decisive Friday evening (9 p.m.) for the final victory, the native of the Var was at the heart of the news after the announcement of his transfer from the Stade Français Paris to Racing 92. The information was first unveiled by our colleagues from
Midi Olympique
before the Parisian club, in the process, made this movement official for next season.
“After several weeks of discussions, Stade Français Paris and Racing 92 have reached an agreement allowing the release of Gaël Fickou,” explains the capital club in a press release.
Parisian since 2018 and until the end of this season, the player will therefore join the neighboring Hauts-de-Seine club on July 1, 2021. "
Official press release
After several weeks of discussions, Stade Français Paris and Racing 92 have reached an agreement allowing the release of Gaël Fickou.
[...] #SFParis
- Stade Français Paris (@SFParisRugby) March 21, 2021
Why such a departure?
The Stade Français - which would not have, contrary to what can be argued, problems with the salary cap - is separated from one of the highest salaries of the club and even from the Top 14 (800,000 euros per year).
Above all, it is the profile of Fickou, regularly summoned to the France team, which poses a problem.
In the last two seasons, he has only played… 13 matches with Paris.
With this official departure, the club of Hans-Peter Wild announces that "a targeted and ambitious recruitment is underway for next season: formalizations will take place quickly."
Three players - not international and therefore present during the doubloons - could arrive near the Porte d'Auteuil.
"White operation" for the two clubs
This transfer of the most capped player currently in the XV of France (62 selections at only 26 years old) has given rise, according to information from
L'Equipe
that we can confirm, to an unprecedented financial arrangement in the world of rugby.
Racing 92 has indeed bought the last two years of the player's contract for 350,000 euros, while his last year of contract with Stade Toulousain had, in 2018, been bought by Paris for 700,000 euros.
In addition, Stade Français will continue to pay part of Gaël Fickou's salary when he moves to Ciel et Blanc.
Which, in the end, can be compared to a "white operation" for the two clubs.
Sportingly, however, it will be a funny situation for the three-quarter center when he will play the Paris derby ...
One thing is certain, with the arrival of the former Toulon and Toulouse player, Racing 92 will recompose the pair of Fickou-Vakatawa centers which shines under the jersey of the XV of France.
The two players, already very complementary in blue, will be able to sharpen their daily complicity, refine their automatisms.
Is it a good deal for the Hauts-de-Seine club which will, on the other hand, be deprived of them during the international windows?
Ile-de-France manager Laurent Travers has other options up his sleeve with the captain and kid of the club Henry Chavancy, Olivier Klemenczak, who has taken on a new dimension recently, or the experienced Australian Kurtley Beale, who can play in all positions. behind.
Fickou and Danty gone, Paris must recompose its line of attack
If Racing will count, next season, a new leading player in its three-star workforce, Stade Français will have to recompose its line of attack with the departures of Gaël Fickou and Jonathan Danty (La Rochelle) .
Alex Arraté and Julien Delbouis recently extended, Waisea can play in the center as well as in the wing, but reinforcements in this position will not be too much.
England's Worcester international center, Ollie Lawrence (21, 5 caps) shouldn't be one of those rookies, as has been argued by
The Rugby Paper
magazine
.
According to our information, Stade Français is not interested in his profile and has not contacted the English player.
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