Six Nations 
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Thomas Ramos, enfin légitime en bleu
Souvent appelé mais rarement aligné au début du mandat du Fabien Galthié, Thomas Ramos s’est battu pour avoir sa chance. Sa patience et son état d’esprit ont payé : le joueur est maintenant indispensable à l’arrière, tout en présentant une alternative plus que crédible à l’ouverture, le poste qu’il occupera samedi à Lyon contre l’Angleterre.
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À le voir en ce moment sous ce maillot tricolore, floqué du 15 comme du 10, on a le sentiment que Thomas Ramos fait partie des meubles de la maison bleue. Fiable au pied et face aux perches, audacieux ballon en main, donnant de la voix la semaine dernière pour guider les bizuths, réfléchi devant les micros, le Toulousain est un cadre de ce groupe.
« Il affiche beaucoup de leadership dans la conduite du jeu, sur les hommes aussi, a apprécié Fabien Galthié, ce jeudi lors du point presse. Il est en confiance, il enchaîne, que ce soit à l’arrière ou à l’ouverture. Dans l’animation comme dans la maîtrise des temps forts et des temps faibles, il est très performant. »
On a connu le sélectionneur moins laudateur sur le joueur passé par Colomiers, en Pro D2. Le début de l’histoire entre Ramos et les Bleus n’était en effet pas si rose.
Appelé en bleu par Jacques Brunel pour préparer le Tournoi des Six Nations 2019, il glane ses premières sélections au sein d’une équipe française qui traverse une des pires périodes de son histoire.
Nommé en remplacement de Brunel, dont il était l’adjoint durant la Coupe du Monde 2019 au Japon, Fabien Galthié ne semble pas vouer une confiance aveugle à Ramos. Tout du moins en début de mandat. A l’arrière, les essais se succèdent : les “ovnis” Anthony Bouthier et Melvyn Jaminet, le revenant Brice Dulin, ou encore le jamais capé Kylan Hamdaoui, appelé en 2020 mais forfait sur blessure…
Thomas Ramos semble loin, dans la hiérarchie des N. 15, quand le nouveau staff débarque, en quête de reconquête après des années de crise de résultats. Il est longtemps cantonné à un rôle de remplaçant, sacrifié sur l’autel de la polyvalence 10-15. Il doit se contenter de poignées de minutes de jeu pour se mettre en évidence, s’installe parfois en tribune.
« Il faut qu’on me laisse l’opportunité de m’exprimer »
Le joueur ronge son frein. « J’ai bien entendu l’envie d’être appelé, mais c’est surtout l’envie de jouer qui m’anime. Être appelé est une chose, être sur le terrain en est une autre. […] Il faut qu’on me laisse l’opportunité de m’exprimer. J’ai rarement eu ma chance pour le moment », soulignait-il en 2021, dans les colonnes de Midi Olympique.
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Il faudra pour cela un concours de circonstances. Jaminet, propulsé titulaire en Bleu depuis plus d’un an, pièce importante du Grand Chelem 2022, se blesse à une cheville en octobre de la même année. Voilà la chance de Ramos. Qui ne la laisse pas passer, à moins d’un an de la Coupe du monde en France, bien que Galthié émette encore des réserves sur son joueur.
« Thomas s’est imposé par ses performances avec le Stade Toulousain. Mais vous savez aussi que comme moi, le Top 14 n’est pas le niveau international », assénait-il en novembre 2022, lui qui à ce moment-là n’avait offert qu’une seule titularisation au Toulousain.
Son jeu au pied est moins long que celui de Jaminet ? Il est moins rassurant sous les ballons hauts que Dulin ? Il attaque moins la ligne que Jalibert ? Il n’a pas la solidité défensive ou le flegme de Romain Ntamack ? Peu importe. Sans être ultra dominant sur un secteur de jeu particulier mais sans point faible, doté d’une bonne vision de jeu et d’une technique propre, Ramos ne quittera plus l’équipe une fois la première occasion saisie.
« J’ai toujours cru en moi, ça montre qu’il ne faut pas lâcher »
« Je me suis toujours fixé pour objectif d’être au plus haut niveau, rappelait le joueur sur Rugbyrama, en 2023. Sur les quatre années passées (2018-2022, ndlr), mon bilan en sélection a été plutôt mitigé avec des hauts, des bas et très peu de temps de jeu. J’avais une opportunité à saisir, je l’ai fait. Si c’est moi qui débute, c’est que le staff est content de mes prestations. Et c’est très bien qu’il y ait de la concurrence. En tout cas, personnellement, j’ai toujours cru en moi, ça montre qu’il ne faut pas lâcher. »
Sa polyvalence 10-15, qui semblait un handicap pour son temps de jeu, est désormais considérée comme un avantage. Il peut démarrer un match à l’arrière et le terminer à l’ouverture, comme on l’a vu durant le Tournoi 2024. Ou assumer le rôle de N.10 d’entrée de match, quand les circonstances le dictent, comme ce sera encore le cas samedi contre l’Angleterre.
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Celui qui est désormais le buteur attitré de l’équipe de France sait aussi qu’une place en équipe de France ne tient pas à grand-chose. Les changements de statut de Melvyn Jaminet justement, Gabin Villière ou plus récemment Cameron Woki montrent que l’équipe de France n’appartient à personne. Thomas Ramos ne s’en soucie guère. Il sait trop d’où il vient pour cela.
Comments on RugbyPass
The name “Kwagga” came to mind while I was reading this. And there’s another Sevens convert roaming the wide open kant at the Lions now - JC Pretorius. Keep an eye on him.
3 Go to comments2024 Rugby Championship: Sat, 10 Aug 2024 – Sat, 28 Sept 2024. Looking forward to watching the All Blacks coached by Scott Robertson, with or without the ‘dynamic’ qualities of Shannon Michael Frizell - see his display against South Africa at Go Media Mount Smart Stadium on July 15.
1 Go to commentsI agree about 8 being too many The English premiership has top four only Top 14 has six URC has 8 I think 6 would be fine It gives those other two teams an incentive But rewarding a team in perhaps 8th with three wins is atrocious If they get in they know they only need one big game
7 Go to commentsInteresting article. I think the answer lies in a comment Kwagga Smith made during the World Cup. Asked whether it bothers him that the Bok team doesn’t get more credit he said: “We don’t play for people to respect us: we play for each other and we play for South Africa.” The Springbok team is a brotherhood - an incredibly tight unit, most of whom are good friends off the pitch as well. Not only do they not want to let South Africa down, but they fight like crazy not to let their teammates down. Not saying they don’t care about their club teammates, but I think the bond shared in the Boks is just much, much deeper. Tough to forge the same sort of bond at a club over a handful of years. That must translate into superior performances for country over club.
31 Go to commentsThere is very little creativity in the 9-10 axis for SA. 10 needs to be solid, put the work in and kick the points. the SA counter is almost always via the edge or a kick through for a winger. When was the last offensive backline score from SA against a top team? Perhaps the ultra physical nature of the SA teams means players they get to hit more stats in those games. Maybe the SA pleyers are perfectly suited to the SA system. In other Words they are not club players gathered to play SA Internationals. They are SA International players adapting to play club.
31 Go to commentsJust what you want your prop doing 😂
1 Go to commentsEveryone needs to have a bit of ball player in them Nick and second phase but forwards and backs are still different coz of where you stick your head most of the time. Pocock and tizzano were 12s right up to the edge of seniors. Pocock was 12 to quades 10 then pocock was at the force At 17 year’s old or so. Hamish Stewart was apparently was a junior 7. Don’t know when he switched but apparently he was crons 10 in the Oz 20s. A mistake too often made is playing a guy like taquele nairavuro at wing instead of as a power 8. On rugby tours we often had a spare 7 playing crash 12 coz the regular 12 stayed home. Often had a spare 7 playing on a wing too.
3 Go to commentsyikes - what a load of crap Gallan. Interesting until after your 1st paragraph, but then again not worth anyone’s time responding to such pointless analysis and of course your dumbass opinions.
31 Go to commentsOutside of their national camp, club teams seem to take a tighter stance on doping. Think that explains it really.
31 Go to commentsThanks Nick Ive always thought that there should be a few more innovative attempts at players moving from backs to forwards and vice versa. Samu was one, as was Jim Williams last century. Cole certainly could run like a back, as can Lonergan from the Brumbies. I think that it’s going to become hard again for hookers though as front rowers seem to be getting bigger and bigger, and the guys have to look after their spines as well as (in Australia) their achilles! I always thought that Folau should have been tried in the lineout…. I think the same for Vunavalu…if he lasts any longer. Movement between positions is much more common in League, mainly because the size requirements between backs and forwards are not as pronounced. Hookers and halfbacks interchanging and second rowers and centres as well. The great Cameron Smith was effectively a hybrid hooker/halfback, being able to play both positions…sometimes it seemed simultaneously! For now, it seems like McReith and before him Hooper are the standouts, though Cale could be anything. John Eals did a few “back” type things mind you, including running and kicking. As for Jones, I don't credit him as anything (in an Australian context) other than a speaker of a million throw away lines, with the occasional one being picked up! Sorry
3 Go to commentsHe's Big in Japan
2 Go to comments“England are set to lose some of their best ever players at the end of the season with the mass departure to France”… Really? Best ever? What a joke of an opening line. The england players leaving for France are… Sinckler, Ludlum, Tuilagi… that’s the list of players England are losing at the end of this season to France. All 3 are fringe players at best these days. Manu is the only one you could fathom debating being one of “their best ever players” and even that debate would be shut down pretty quickly. Pathetic excuse for journalism this. Not grounded in reality.
2 Go to commentsYep. The insanity of the decision of trying to outspend RL for outside backs just looks more and more stupid as time goes on and talented players either bully us into paying overs to keep them (Jorgensen) or simply leave as Uncle Nick comes calling (Nawaqanitawase).
20 Go to commentsInteresting that you pick Amatosero, John. I would agree with your choice. He could well be capped this year at some point. At only 21 years of age, he has a lot of experience at a high level from his time at Clermont. I’m surprised he did not remain there for longer, as last year he was really starting to move, with 14 games, six starts, well up from the previous year, 7 games, only 2 starts. Have liked what is doing with the Waratahs this year. Not an easy situation for any player there, with the poor results.
3 Go to commentsNed me old shinwah, it’s probably not a bad idea to learn how to spell the last names of great All Blacks wingers. (Otherwise we will demean our memories of Grant Bitty, Jonah Lima, Joe Rococo and Doug Howler.)
4 Go to commentsNo longer able to except the excuses offered up for Rob. The red jersey has lost it’s mana and become a joke. I do not wish Mr Penny any wrong but it is time to go. Do the right thing Rob and retire, PLEASE.
31 Go to commentsIt is a travesty that 8/12 teams play in the finals, and that 4 wins out of 14 might be enough to get you there, but every competition has this to some degree. If it was only the top 4 going through, then this season would have been over for 6 of the teams 4 weeks ago. Super Rugby is simply a feeder competition for the All Blacks and Wallabies. There are low stakes and no consequences because so few people care who wins Super Rugby. In football, winning the Champions League is the pinnacle for any player or fan. The fate of national teams in the world cup or Euros is a complete second fiddle to The Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Ligue 1, Bundelsliga etc… Same with the NBA, NFL, NHL, MLB. Players and fans care deeply about their team winning NBA title, but don’t care at all about USA winning gold at the Olympics. Or more locally with Rugby League, the Hierarchy is probably NRL > State of Origin > International. For some maybe State of Origin is the top. Super Rugby is low consequence and low stakes because no one cares enough about the outcome. Players ultimately want to play for the ABs, not the Hurricanes or Blues. Casual fans aren’t talking about SR selections but everyone has an opinion on Sam Cane or Ian Foster. Super Rugby is a means to an end. The only context it has is how it effects who is selected for the ABs.
7 Go to commentsPlayoffs featuring 4 or 6 teams would mean the other teams playing meaningless games for longer and a further drop of interest in Australia. But yes a 12 team competition with 8 teams making finals is ridiculous.
7 Go to commentsJoe's picks will be more interesting than Razors. The dumping of Dave Rennie for Jones has to be one of the worst exec decisions of all time. Joe and Dave have similar styles and personalities, the players should like that. Predicting some success for Aus this year. Well more than last year!
3 Go to commentsHey Ben, Thanks for your opinion article. As a die hard rugby tragic and loyal supporter of the game can I say your article seems a touch negative so I would like to offer a slightly different spin on it. I am assuming that the sole purpose of the Super Rugby competition is not just to be a training camp for the International teams but an independent event and competition in its own right with sponsors, media companies and teams that need a financial return. Now, from this rugby fans perspective, I am enjoying the last few weeks of the competition and enjoying the fact that most teams can still make the play offs and nobody wants the wooden spoon. Most rugby followers would agree to it being a travesty if the Crusaders or the Waratahs now made it to the final but history tells us it is very unlikely with the importance of home ground advantage. Playing each team once and a four team final would give the competition integrity and a level playing field for all teams but I would be surprised if it could satisfy the financial demands of the TV rights. Maybe a six team finals series might be a possible compromise.
7 Go to comments