Plessis-Robinson, France – Racing 92 center Gaël Fickou is embracing the challenge of regaining his place in the French national team, despite being left out of the squad that recently won the Six Nations Championship. The 32-year-old, who will turn 33 on March 26th, addressed the media on Wednesday ahead of Racing 92’s Top 14 match against Pau, acknowledging the increased competition for positions within Les Bleus.
Fickou, a veteran with 98 caps for France, admitted to feeling disappointment at not being involved in the Six Nations triumph. “I am happy for the victory but, naturally, as a competitor, I would have preferred to be there,” he said. “It was the first time I’ve been left out of the entire competition. Before, I had missed matches due to injuries or the coach’s choices, but I always returned at some point. It allowed me to rest, to work physically, to be at 100% for my club. It was different, but I certainly would have preferred to be there.”
The competition for spots in the French midfield has intensified, with younger players emerging and pushing for selection. Fickou recognizes this shift in the landscape. “Honestly, when I started, there was Maxime Mermoz, Mathieu Bastareaud, Wesley Fofana… There has always been competition,” he explained. “But for a long period of my career, I was one of the key players. Today, the cards are being reshuffled. There are young players pushing through – Nicolas Depoortere, Fabien Brau-Boirie, Emilien Gailleton, Kalvin Gourgues – who are performing extremely well. It’s good that everyone can be challenged. It pushes me. I see it in a positive light.”
Fickou’s experience with competition extends beyond the international stage. Having played for Toulouse, Stade Français, and now Racing 92, he is accustomed to battling for his place. “I’m used to managing it,” he stated. “There are times when you play more, and times when you play less – that’s logical.”
The emergence of a new generation of French rugby players is also something Fickou has observed. He noted a change in the speed at which young players are now reaching a professional level. “I arrived in the French team at 18 years old. I was one of the few who could play at that level so early. Today, young players arrive very quickly. They become professionals very early. That’s the current model of rugby. The methods have evolved. They are prepared much faster. I started weight training at 21, they start at 15.”
Fickou revealed he had an open and understanding conversation with France head coach Fabien Galthié regarding his omission from the Six Nations squad. “I had a good discussion with Fabien Galthié. He explained his decision. I understood it. We had already talked about it. Nothing is definitive. It’s up to me to show that I still have a place, even with the strong competition. That’s the law of the sport. These are guys I adore and appreciate. I have sometimes advised them on many things. Right now, they are better than me. That’s the game. It’s up to me not to accept that and to fight back to return. I must not give up.”
The Racing 92 center’s focus now is on performing consistently for his club and demonstrating his value to the national team. Racing 92 has been showing strong form recently, positioning themselves well in the Top 14 standings. Their upcoming match against Pau presents a significant challenge, with Pau excelling in the aerial game, a facet of play Racing 92 will need to address. Fickou acknowledged the importance of securing a victory away from home, stating, “We absolutely must proceed and get a huge win away. We don’t have many opportunities left: we have three matches away, so we need to take maximum points. The finish of the championship will be tight, so in each match, we will try to challenge our opponents and bring out the best version of ourselves.”
The match against Pau will be a test of Racing 92’s ability to perform on the road, something Fickou identified as an area for improvement. He emphasized the team’s desire to challenge their opponents and showcase their potential. The pressure is on for Fickou and his teammates as they navigate a crucial period in the Top 14 season, all although the prospect of a return to the French national team remains a driving force.
Fickou’s determination to reclaim his spot in the French squad is clear. He understands the evolving landscape of French rugby and the need to continually prove his worth. His commitment to both Racing 92 and the national team underscores his passion for the sport and his unwavering desire to compete at the highest level.
Racing 92 will face Pau on March 28th. Fans can follow the match live on Canal+ (France) and through updates on the Racing 92 official website. The outcome of this match will be crucial for Racing 92’s playoff aspirations and will undoubtedly be closely watched by Fabien Galthié as he assesses potential candidates for future France squads.
