Rugby World Cup 2023 / French XV – After the injury to Antoine Dupont, who to start in the scrum?

Never has a 96-point victory been so badly experienced. And yet… Antoine Dupont’s exit eclipses everything, whether it be the records, the successful performance both in attack and in defense, because his presence for the high-stakes matches is crucial. But with a maxillo-zygomatic fracture which could sideline him for several weeks, he already has to move on to the next world. So, who to wear the disproportionately large costume that Dupont has worn since his arrival with the Blues. The choices seem limited for Fabien Galthié and his staff.

It’s the choice that seems natural. Installed in the hierarchy as number 2, the Bordelo-Bèglais leaves with a head start over the rest of the competition. His club partner, Matthieu Jalibert, being the starter at the opening, renewing the hinge of the UBB in the French team seems to be the most obvious choice to have automatisms in a flash.

Already starting against Uruguay, the player of Basque origin knows the pressure of major events. With 19 selections on the clock, his experience can allow him to be promoted as the holder to challenge Italy in the last group match for the Blues.

An express promotion for the eldest of the Couilloud siblings? In the battle with Baptiste Serin to compete in the World Cup, the Lyonnais took advantage of the crumbs that were given to him to show the extent of his talent. His comeback against Namibia is proof of this. With a performance where he demonstrated all his potential, with a test as a bonus, the Lou player has a profile similar to that of Dupont, with an interval take and a speed greater than that of Maxime Lucu, which can allow him to go number 1. Holder during the tour to Australia in the summer of 2021, he had assumed his role and had been an integral part of the success of this tour.

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This choice could also allow the Blues staff to keep the same strategy as in recent years on the bench. Maxime Lucu, established as the finisher at the scrum, would remain the manager of these last minutes which are so dear. A choice already made by Fabien Galthié earlier in the year in another position. Sipili Falatea, right pillar replacing Uini Atonio during the Tournament, did not take advantage of the latter’s suspension to start the matches. Instead, Mohamed Haouas and Dorian Aldegheri were thrown into the deep end, leaving the Bordelo-Bèglais on the bench.

It would be the chef’s surprise. Reserve player, Baptiste Serin should only be called up if the Blues captain misses the entire competition. But from number 4 to number 1, there is only one step. The Toulonnais is the most experienced of all the remaining scrum-halves, with around forty caps under his belt. Furthermore, it was he who had already replaced Antoine Dupont during the last World Cup when the latter was unable to play the last group matches.

Having held the position fifteen times, more than his two competitors combined, an express promotion cannot be ruled out. In England too, reservist Alex Mitchell was able to establish himself as the starter upon his arrival, relegating Danny Care and Ben Youngs to the bench at the last moment. Is a similar destiny possible for the former UBB player, whose automatisms with Matthieu Jalibert could return, while the two played together during the opener’s first seasons in the Top 14.