Cyril Belle, Second Column of the XV of France

Cyril Belle, Second Column of the XV of France

There are still two games left, in Wales on 9 March Cardiff and England on 16 March, but France have taken a serious option at the Grand Slam, after an incredible performance on Saturday 26 February, against anything but ridiculous Scots. Blame it on a band of twirling and dominant three-quarters, such as Damien Penaud being doubly rewarded with two attempts, and an Antoine Dupont still above the fray, including Man of the World in 2021 for the best player in the world. The match has a new title.

→ Facts. France’s big win in rugby, Scotland

In Scrum, on the left edge of the first line, another person with a more obscure game would be equally deserving of the title: Cyril Bell. Olympic Afternoon Where? Team were not mistaken, giving them a rating similar to that of their club partner DuPont, 9/10 for some, 8/10 for others. Neither did the crowd at Murrayfield, who gave a rare standing ovation for one before the player was out in the 58th minute.

He left the debate later than his colleagues on the front line, Hooker and Right Pillar, a sign of his confidence in his employees in a state of physical freshness where muscle and energy expenditure peaks.

Fabien Galthié: “The best left in the world”

For a good year, the Stade Toulousan player has ensured the world’s best left column crown after the game, which was put on his head by his boss Fabian Galthy at the end of last year’s (15-13) heroic France-Ireland. After this founding match for the Blue Building, the coach, stingy instead of personal comments, had dropped: “It is undoubtedly the best left in the world.”

Capable of hitting drops from 40 meters in training, passing passes on either side, while forwards in mass play are often comfortable on one flank, this big man almost runs a short one. “He has the dexterity, he can play with three-quarters”, Julien Marchand claimed during the first gathering before the tournament, his hooker colleague on the France team in Toulouse.

Reserve only for the 2019 World Cup

From the start, along with his teammates, the young Pau trained in Lanmazon made a fine assist for Yoram Moefana (13th). And we found him several times wide, ready to get a pass and move on like an authentic three-quarters. In this year’s game against Ireland, he deftly netted through a group of players.

Often injured during very harsh off-field debuts, Toulouse marked time in the France squad after unconvinced selection under the Guy Novés era, to the point of losing the confidence of the next coach, Jacques Brunel. After a good 2018–2019 season, he was included in the list of reserves for the 2019 World Cup, under the watchful eye of future coach Fabian Galthy, who was appointed just before the World Cup and who serves as an observer. I went to Japan with the blues.

“The public pushed us to the end”

Finally selected to play a World Cup match, he almost never gave up his starting spot on the left bank of the front line. He played all five matches of the 2021 tournament and played a decisive role in the win against the All Blacks in November. Barring injury, the Toulouse pillar has been firmly planted in blue clay until the 2023 World Cup, which will be played in France.

When asked by French television reporters about his personal performance after the win against Scotland, the column liked to get in touch with the public praising the performance: “Today the French supporters pushed very hard, did he announce, It almost felt like playing at home. Thanks to the travellers, they were huge, pushed us to the end and it is also thanks to them that we won today. , Diplomat too.

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