The absence of Antoine Dupont will benefit him. On cloud nine since the return of the World Cup, Maxime Lucu is, with his club UBB, in international form. His matches will therefore necessarily be scrutinized and awaited, he who did not come into play during the quarter-final against South Africa. The native of Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle (Basque Country) has the opportunity to prove that he can be, in the future, a luxury joker at Dupont. Lucu also leaves with the advantage of being associated at the hinge with his friend Matthieu Jalibert. The two playing masters are the main architects of the qualification of the Gironde club in the round of 16 of the Champions Cup and the very good half of the season in the Top 14 (3rd). Author of 76 points this season in all competitions, the 31-year-old scrum half notably produced a breathtaking game in Clermont during the 11th day. A performance that amazed former international Xavier Garbasjosa. “I really found Maxime Lucu exceptional. I screwed him up, yes. He’s a magnificent leader.” The Basque now has all the cards in hand to succeed.
A first in… 16 years. Jonathan Sexton – record holder for the number of points scored in the history of the competition with 566 points – will not play this new edition of the Six Nations Tournament. A true sacred monster of rugby and Irish sport said goodbye four months ago at the end of the World Cup. The XV of Clover will have to learn to live without him. If young Sam Prendergast knocks on the door, and Frawley and Byrne are part of the group, it is ultimately Jack Crowley (24 years old) who leaves with a head start. The Munster player will experience his 10th cape with Clover at the Marseille Vélodrome. With, already, a heavy pressure on his shoulders. He had to be content with a few crumbs during the World Cup (59 minutes played) but was brilliant in the Champions Cup, notably during the victory against Toulon (18-29) during which he was elected man of the match. This time, the step is higher and his offensive, defensive and goal performance will have a direct consequence on the result of a selection in search of certainty in this position.
Wales and England snatched it from each other. It was ultimately the XV de la Rose which had the last word. Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has enjoyed a meteoric rise in recent seasons. The young winger (21 years old) started with Cardiff at just 18 years old in 2021. A Welsh under-20 international at the center position, this son of Nigerian parents is also studying medicine. Brilliant on the athletics tracks where he notably practices hurdle racing and high jump, Feyi-Waboso is spotted in 2022 by the Wasps club. The situation of the English club – placed in receivership – is slowing down the progress of the young phenomenon. Recovered by Exeter, the Welshman is having a full season. Author of six tries in 14 matches, Feyi Waboso catches the eye of the Welsh and English coaches. To everyone’s surprise, he finally chose England. Very fast and powerful, the winger has everything to surprise. But, within an aging English team whose coach (Steve Borthwick) has difficulty trusting his youngsters, the Exeter player is not yet sure of starting matches. Even if his presence is expected to face Italy on the first day.
The native of Brescia could be a good surprise from the new Italy version Gonzalo Quesada. Originally from Nigeria, the 23-year-old was called up for the first time with the Nazionale. Excellent this season with his club Treviso, with whom he has made 11 matches this season for four tries scored, the third row will undoubtedly have to wait to start as a starter. But the former under-20 international has a real card to play. Powerful, fast and a good tackler, Izekor has surprised this season, both in his championship (the United Rugby Championship) and in the Challenge Cup. He notably scored a try against Perpignan last December.
In a short time, Blair Kinghorn is already unanimous among the supporters and his teammates at Stade Toulousain. Arriving after the departure of Melvyn Jaminet in Toulon, the Scottish international surprises a little more every weekend. The very strong rear (1m93, 107 kg) has an excellent, long kick, in addition to being imperial in the air. Despite his 53 caps, Kinghorn has not yet really established himself at the back of the Chardon XV. Helmed by the indestructible Stuart Hogg in recent years, the former Edinburgh player must now assert himself in this position. Starting three times in four match sheets during the World Cup, the full-back or fly-half of Stade Toulousain could, thanks to his performances at club, have reached a milestone.
At just 21 years old, Dafydd Jenkins is following in the footsteps of legend Sir Gareth Edwards. Jenkins becomes the youngest captain in Wales history after Edwards, who captained his team at the age of 20 in 1968. The second row was named captain of the Leek XV for the first match of his team against Scotland. “On the phone, I wasn’t sure it was him (the coach, Warren Gatland, Editor’s note). I thought it was one of the guys playing a prank on me. So I spoke with him and I was pretty convinced it was him. After I hung up the phone, a few boys around me asked me who it was. I was shaking afterwards. It was class,” the Exeter player explained to AFP following his appointment. Already integrated into the cage since last season, Jenkins represents the future of the Leek XV. Despite the problems facing the Welsh Federation, the exodus of certain executives and disappointing results in recent seasons, the second row will have to lead Wales towards a rebirth at the highest level of the international level. Not easy.