the five French to follow in this final against Ireland

The France U20 team is preparing to challenge Ireland in the final of the World Cup in South Africa. Here are the five most promising Blueberries.

Successfully pass three on a national holiday. This is the objective of Sébastien Calvet and his men this Friday July 14 (7:00 p.m.). After a three-year hiatus due to the Covid, the hopefuls of French rugby want to succeed their elder world champions in 2018 and 2019. This 2003/2004 generation promises French rugby a bright future, even though the present is already bright. . Spotlight on the five most promising players of this France U20 team.

Posolo Tuilagi, the monster

The physical description speaks for itself: 18 years old, 1m94, 149 kg. Impressive, to say the least. It remains to be seen who the great French team is already observing. The 2nd line of Samoan origin is courted by the gratin of French rugby, who will have to fight to snatch the greatest potential tricolor from his position. The Perpignan player has a well-known name in rugby since he is the son of the former USAP player, Henry Tuilagi and the nephew of the English international Manu Tuilagi. Powerful and ferocious, he is a nightmare for his opponents when he arrives launched, he who progresses systematically on impact often leaving his opponents marked by his passage.

Posolo Tuilagi. World Rugby.

Marko Gazzotti, the ironworker

Third center line of Grenoble, Gazzotti revealed himself to those who did not know him or who did not regularly follow the Pro D2. Author of a very high level tournament (with three tries), the young man of 18 years (1m92, 110 kg) could compete with Grégory Alldritt in the coming years. Worker, scratcher, tackler and agile ball in hand, the number 8 of the Bleuets knows how to do everything on a field. Discreet as described by captain Lenni Nouchi, the latter did not fail to praise his qualities before this final. “Marko he gives off such power when he runs and has the ball, especially when playing next to him, it’s something very impressive“. Not to be outdone about his third center line, coach Sébastien Calvet underlined the importance of Gazzotti in the semi-final against England: “It is clearly he who starts the march forward against the English».

Marko Gazzotti. World Rugby.

Lenni Nouchi, captain

Slightly more experienced than Tuilagi or Gazzotti, Nouchi was born in 2003 and is one of those players who have managed to grab some playing time in the French rugby elite. Third line wing of Montpellier, he played ten Top 14 games and one round of 16 of the Champions Cup with the MHR (lost against Exteter). Also very powerful and skilful, he made the English defense experience a nightmare in the previous match by often escaping in the cracks left by the young people of the XV de la Rose with a try. Head on shoulders, he is as much a boss on the field as in the locker room and dreams big with his teammates. “To be world champion under 20 is a dream we all have, there we are lucky to be able to apply. It makes us grow to the highest level” confided the number 6 of the Blueberries.

Lenni Nouchi with the Japanese captain. WorldRugby.

Baptiste Jauneau, the pink helmet

The scrum half of the French team is easily recognizable on the ground with his helmet (pink during this world). But not only since his talent makes him one of the centerpieces of Sébastien Calvet’s XV. He feels the game and directs it as he pleases. A real metronome, he knows how to take opposing defenses from behind like a certain Antoine Dupont. Playing in the same position as the latter does not ensure a future as a holder in blue but he could soon make his mark to be the Toulouse understudy and complete a list of nine which already looks great. Among the best known of this team, Jauneau has already established himself in a club where we have often been able to appreciate his qualities at Clermont, with whom he only missed two games last season and had ten starts in the league.

Baptiste Jauneau against England. WorldRugby.

Hugo Reus, I chef d‘orchestra

Originally from Dordogne, Hugo Reus could at 19 add a line of U20 world champion to his CV already filled with a European champion title with Stade Rochelais. Very good at crossing and taking initiatives, Reus stands out for his kicking game, which is often very precise and efficient. Especially since he masters both feet, comfortable with both left and right. Third in the hierarchy at La Rochelle behind Antoi Hastoy and Ulupano Seuteni, the former Bordeaux-Bègles player has had six match sheets this season in the Top 14, including three starts. Also skilful against the poles, notably with a 100% success against England in the semi-finals, Hugo Reus is one of those numbers 10 that France knows how to develop and who will perhaps bring the cup home.

Hugo Reus. World Rugby.