Maxime Raulin, in Saint-Étienneupdated on August 11, 2023 at 10:24 pm
After a successful first cap in Scotland last week, Paul Boudehent is set to follow this up on Saturday (9.05pm). An opportunity for the 23-year-old third-rower to prove that he can shake up the hierarchy and earn a place in the 33-man squad.
"I remember a young third row called up at the last minute: it was Thierry Dusautoir. He probably ended up as the best player at the World Cup. There's always the possibility of seeing players who reveal themselves." The sentence is signed William Servat. At the start of the week, in sunny Capbreton (Landes), where Les Bleus are continuing their preparations, the co-coach of the forwards of the French national team referred to the former Tricolor captain when discussing the performance of rookie Paul Boudehent (23, 1.92 m, 107 kg, 1 selection) in Scotland last weekend (25-21 defeat).
Remember: during the 2007 World Cup in France, Dusautoir (80 caps) took advantage of Elvis Vermeulen's injury to join the France squad and start preparations. The rest is history. The 25-year-old third row earned his place alongside Serge Betsen and Julien Bonnaire, relegating Imanol Harinordoquy to the substitutes' bench. Paul Boudehent could follow this example.
In the composition of our third line, it's interesting to keep him to find a balance with Ollivon and Alldritt
Fabien Galthié, coach of the French national team.