The value does not wait for the number of years. Even less international selections. Last week, Paul Boudehent (24) was one of the three novices launched in the France team by Fabien Galthié and his staff. For remarkable beginnings: an overflowing activity, a big slaughter in defense and a precious availability with the ball in hand, especially in the supports. Of the three neophytes (with Émilien Gailleton and Louis Bielle-Biarrey), the Rochelais is the only one to retain a starting spot, Saturday (9:05 p.m.), for the return match in Saint-Étienne against XV du Chardon.
The coach of the Blues reconsidered his choice to align him again. “He had a very good end to the season with La Rochelle, he is European champion, they are going to the final of the Top 14 where he is the starter. He did a very good preparation and in the first match against Scotland, he met our expectations on his profile and on what he had to do with our team, both offensively and defensively, “welcomed Fabien Galthié.
Before the roster was announced, his Maritime teammate, center Jonathan Danty, wasn’t surprised by his notable debut. “He is a player who has been playing in the Top 14 for several seasons now. I am very happy for him with his personal performance at Murrayfield, he said. I hope, and I think, that he will have other selections in blue. This will be the case at Geoffroy-Guichard.
Paul Boudehent (1.92 m for 107 kg) is currently taking advantage of the injury absences of Anthony Jelonch (knee) and François Cros (hamstrings), usual executives of the XV of France in the third row. But the double European champion flanker immediately acclimatized to the demands of the XV of France. Referring to the status of the newcomers at the start of the preparation, the Angevin explained during the internship in Monaco: “It’s not that we have the good role, but we have nothing to lose. This prep is just a great opportunity. We have to fit in, of course, to score points, but the idea is not to do anything, to want to put yourself forward at all costs and hurt other guys. .”
And the player, trained in Angers and passed by Nantes before joining Charente-Maritime in 2017, to add: “We just have to try to seize our chance training after training. There are also good times to spend with each guy, each staff member. We have to find our place little by little, without forcing things. Yet it was. Since then, Fabien Galthié, but also William Servat, the coach in charge of the forwards, have not hesitated to draw a parallel between Paul Boudehent and Thierry Dusautoir, who had not initially been selected for the 2007 World Cup before moving on. explode in the quarter-final won in Cardiff against the All Blacks.
“Paul brings us the physical dimension, like Anthony Jelonch who we miss, details William Servat. He brought this physical commitment, this character. It’s a bit like his busy season with La Rochelle, where he showed quality play and intensity. This is what allows him to be successful in the France team as he was. Not everything is perfect, of course, because you have to adapt to our system.” Fabien Galthié in support: “François Cros stopped, in the composition of the third line, Paul seemed interesting to me to seek a balance with Charles Ollivon and Grégory Alldritt.”
Same satisfaction from Karim Ghezal, the assistant in charge of the key: “We were not surprised. It was his first game in Scotland but I didn’t feel that was the case as he has been with us for a long time. From the 2022 Six Nations Tournament, which we won, he was in the extended group. He did a lot of weeks with us, we know his potential which he continued to develop at club level. Ghezal adds that Paul Boudehent has “an interesting profile, very powerful and he is a very good ball carrier. He has great qualities in touch, he is a good lifter and he defends well in this sector too. He’s a real athlete, but high-level sport is about repeating efforts and he knows he has to perform on these repetitions.
Fabien Galthié also explained that the Rochelais also has another string to his bow: he could help out in the center. Like his third line friend Sekou Macalou, who can be used on the wing. In the meantime, Paul Boudehent must confirm, this Saturday evening in Saint-Étienne, his sensational debut. To shake up the hierarchy a little more in the third line. And definitely make a place in the final group of 33 players.
