Gael Fickou is back and needs to stay
French flyer Gael Fickou put on a masterclass display in his first test start at centre for over a year.
Following incumbent midfielder Geoffrey Doumayrou’s concussion during last weekend’s loss against South Africa, 24-year-old Fickou was thrust into the No. 12 jersey for Saturday’s clash with Argentina – an opportunity he grabbed with both hands – as he tries to bust his way back into the starting lineup.
2018 has been a tumultuous year for the impressive young talent. After struggling with injury and not being included in head coach Jacques Brunel’s original Six Nations squad, Fickou had made just three starts for France this year before Saturday.
After six years with Top 14 side Toulouse, Fickou joined Stade Francais on a five-year deal starting with their 2018-19 campaign. He has been in scintillating form for his new club and currently leads the competition with seven tries from seven matches – showing the kind of talent that earned him an international debut at the age of 18.
When the aforementioned Doumayrou went down against South Africa last weekend, Brunel called Fickou’s number. When Doumayrou was subsequently ruled out for the following match against Argentina, Brunel backed Fickou’s form and was rewarded handsomely.
“He has started the season very well. He deserves his place,” Brunel said in the lead-up to the match. “We’re aware of Gael’s current form which merits a spot in the team so we’ll take advantage of his form.”
After throwing away a 23-9 lead against South Africa one week earlier, Brunel’s side needed a spark as they tried to snap a five-game skid – and they found one.
Starting at inside centre, Fickou cut the Argentine defence to shreds. He finished an 80-minute shift as one of the best players on the park, notching 58 run metres, a clean break, six defenders beaten and one impressive try assist to outside running mate Teddy Thomas.
The blockbusting performance proved that Fickou holds the key to unlocking France’s attacking potential, and that he deserves a place in the starting side.
With his first touch he drew two defenders and sent Maxime Medard through a half-gap before the fullback spilled the ball. Despite the break ending in an error, his impact was clear after just two minutes as he began to chip away at the Puma defence.
Fickou was easily France’s most impressive player with ball in hand, showcasing an uncanny ability to create attacking opportunities out of thin air and put his teammates into space. A knack for turning nothing into something is a trait that only a few of world rugby’s best possess.
The catalyst for a majority of the French attack, Fickou’s early touches laid the foundation for a big bust in the second half that created what would prove to be the deciding try.
After a tightly contested first half and France holding a slim 11-10 lead over an Argentine side that have been punching above their weight all year, the big midfielder brought his side to life with a scything run followed by an incredible longball to put Thomas away for his second try of the match.
#FRAARG #NeFaisonsXV L’exploit de @FickouG ! Le centre tricolore mystifie la défense argentine et adresse une merveille de passe à @TeddyThoms qui s’offre un doublé. Les Bleus reprennent les commandes 💪💪
▶️Suivez France – Argentine en direct vidéo : https://t.co/EdUUPZizEG pic.twitter.com/nn4uMTBFaO— francetvsport (@francetvsport) November 17, 2018
What stands out about Fickou’s play style is his ability to dictate the pace of the game and freeze defenders in their tracks. On several occasions he went from being flat-footed to weaving through several defenders, catching the Argentine defence off guard as he cut through the line.
His ability as a distributor – showcased with his cutout to Thomas – and threat as an offloader in the tackle gives him more than one dimension to work with. He also showcased his kicking game against Argentina, testing the goal line defence with a grubber for Thomas that was inches from being regathered.
His work off the ball, notably in the build-up to Thomas’ first try, cannot be understated either. After Yoann Huget broke the line from a lineout strike play, Fickou ran a line on Huget’s inside shoulder, drawing in an extra defender and helping to create a two-on-one for Benjamin Fall and try-scorer Teddy Thomas.
His per-game numbers in a French shirt this season make an impressive case for his continued inclusion ahead of Doumayrou.
In eight matches, Fickou is carving off an impressive 13.4 metres per carry and is a threat to offload and break the line each outing.
His defensive numbers are also sound, tackling at an 87% clip with 26 made from 30 attempts. Doumayrou – often picked on the merits of his defence – is tackling at 88%, with a slightly larger sample size of 52 makes from 59 attempts.
A string of performances like the one he had against Argentina should cement the midfielder back in Brunel’s starting lineup for the foreseeable future – a place many hoped he would be after his debut in 2013.
Still just 24 years old and already a 40-test veteran, Fickou still has plenty left to give French rugby and may have one final audition in 2018 as the Rugby World Cup nears.
After being in and out of the French squad for the better part of five years – but producing magic when given the chance – it’s a guarantee that he will make the most of another opportunity if it is presented.
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
that backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
24 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
48 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
24 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
24 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
24 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
24 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
24 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
17 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
17 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to comments