Daniel Bibi Biziwu, a "UFO" among the pillars
Fabien Galthié had warned that he could call on "UFOs", unexpected players with atypical backgrounds. Daniel Bibi Biziwu (20), the left pillar of Clermont, is the big surprise of the French coach to prepare for the Tournament. While one would have thought that the tricolor staff would call on Rochelais Reda Wardi or Bordelais Thierry Paiva again, it is the young left-hander of ASM (1.85 m, 108 kg), former international U20, who was summoned to Marcoussis. Coming from the Auvergne training center, he made his professional debut last season (14 appearances), before experiencing his first tenures this season under the orders of Jono Gibbes (4). Solid in melee and dynamic in the common game,Daniel Bibi Biziwu corresponds to the profile of the modern pillar sought by William Servat and Karim Ghezal, the assistants in charge of the forwards.
XV of France: Jalibert package, Dupont present, four new Blues called
Yoan Tanga Mangane, number eight of the future
The confirmation of a talent apart. Yoan Tanga Mangane (25) has made a name for himself in the three-star squad of Racing 92. Mobile, tough and hyperactive, the native of Bondy (Seine-Saint-Denis) has become a key element of the Ile-de-France pack. After passing through the Castres Olympique training center, he broke through to the highest level in Agen, where he played between 2017 and 2019 before joining Racing. Last season, he was the player in the Top 14 who made the most runs with the ball, proof of his overflowing activity. He had been retained with the French Barbarians during the tour of New Zealand in 2018 (defeats against the Highlanders, victory against the Crusaders). He has signed up next season with Stade Rochelais and will play alongside Grégory Alldritt,who will be both his competitor in the club and in the France team.
Léo Berdeu, solid opener and scorer
His performances in Lyon did not go unnoticed. In competition with the former All Black Lima Sopoaga, in difficulty under his new colors, Léo Berdeu (23 years old) was able to pull out of the game, becoming the number 1 opener of the LOU and the best director of the Top 14 with 165 points . He takes advantage of the absence, at the start of the Tournament, of Matthieu Jalibert (quadriceps) - with whom he shares a very playful side (5 tries registered in the Top 14) - to be summoned to Marcoussis. Pierre Mignoni's protege will compete with Antoine Hastoy (Pau, leaving for La Rochelle next season) to take on the opening substitute suit behind Ntamack. Léo Berdeu, trained in Grasse and also passed through Agen (2018-2020), has a somewhat atypical number 10 profile since he measures … 1.95 m for 95 kg. Strong.
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Jules Favre, a paying versatility
His name came back with insistence to join the France group on the occasion of this Tournament.
And he was indeed called.
Jules Favre (22) is a driving force at Stade Rochelais, where he was trained after starting rugby in Morteau (Doubs).
This season, he shines particularly under the orders of Ronan O'Gara since he has already scored seven tries in 13 matches, his best total in his career.
Jules Favre (1.80 m, 90 kg), former international under 20, is a real Swiss army knife of the back lines: he can evolve in the center, on the wing but also at the back.
A versatility that makes it, on paper, an ideal replacement.
Even if, in all these positions, the competition is fierce in the France team.