Little surprise this Tuesday afternoon in Marcoussis. During the Blues’ training in Essonne, Posolo Tuilagi had put on a starting chasuble. The second line from Perpignan, 19 years old, should therefore be aligned with the starting XV against Italy this Sunday (4 p.m.) in Villeneuve-d’Ascq (North). He would thus push the Parisian Paul Gabrillagues onto the substitutes’ bench. The only other change among the starters, the withdrawal of captain Grégory Alldritt should benefit, as expected, his La Rochelle teammate Paul Boudehent, integrated into the third line wing. François Cros would slide into the center. Fabien Galthié will reveal the composition of the XV of France this Friday at 11 a.m.
The probable team against Italy: Ramos – Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Bielle-Biarrey – (o) Jalibert, (m) Lucu – Ollivon (cap.), Cros, Boudehent – Tuilagi, Woki – Atonio, Mauvaka, Baille .
Posolo Tuilagi would therefore have won his place last Saturday at the Jean-Bouin stadium, after a great performance against the Stade Français, despite the defeat of the Catalans (32-19). The player, who was not one of the nineteen protected internationals for the third day of the Six Nations Tournament, played the entire match. His slaughter, his vivacity despite an extraordinary size (145 kg for 1.92 m) struck the spirits. “He’s all in, he doesn’t ask any questions,” greeted the president of Perpignan François Rivière admiringly.
His first two selections did not go unnoticed. Coming into play for twenty-seven minutes during the defeat in Marseille against Ireland (17-38) on February 2, he played four more minutes and saved the country eight days later by slipping his hand under the ball , thus avoiding a Scottish try at the last second and preserving the French success (16-20).
The young man, who discovered the Top 14 at the age of 18 and then was crowned under-20 world champion on July 14, is continuing his meteoric rise. His first tenure should be the only surprise within the Blues. The Maxime Lucu – Matthieu Jalibert hinge, struggling during the first two matches, should be renewed. “We cannot say today that the hinge of the French team is bad,” retorts Patrick Arlettaz, deputy in charge of three-quarters. When things go less well, those who suffer the most are those who are supposed to make everyone around them play. »
