2023-11-10 16:52:50
From the U20 world title to the Top 14 via the French XV, the young UBB center displays his ambitions. “We’re going to go get the Brennus,” he assures us in an interview with AFP.
This U20 world champion generation seems uninhibited. You confirm ?
Nicolas Depoortere : «It’s true. This is due to the fact that we are very well integrated by the staff and the players. At UBB, there is no hierarchy even if we respect our elders. Take the example of Nans (Ducuing, Editor’s note), he took me under his wing, we laugh a lot and it goes really well.»
Is Louis Bielle-Biarrey the perfect example for you of rapid integration and progression in Blue?
«He’s like my best friend, we’ve always gotten along really well. He is always one step ahead of me. When I joined the pros, he was already there so I often stayed with him: he was the one who integrated me left and right, it was easier for me to follow him. When he started to be upgraded to U20, he was the one who integrated me, I hope it will be the same in the French team later. With Louis, we tell each other everything, he knows what I think of him, what he has experienced is extraordinary.»
What are your goals this season with UBB?
«We’re going to go get the Brennus. We almost have a three-quarter line only with internationals. Every time we train with them, the level is impressive. It goes faster, it’s more precise and frankly it allows you to improve. In training, as soon as there is something that I don’t understand, I will ask Damian Penaud, who is a winger but can play in the center, Matthieu Jalibert, who has a good vision of the game or Yoram Moefana, who plays my position. They have great skills and through contact with them, we improve. When I saw them all lined up against Italy (60-7), I said to myself ’’I play with them and it’s extraordinary for the club which is growing a lot from year to year’’».
«Trying to join the French team is a goal that I set in mind»
Is this competition a source of motivation?
«Yes, places are getting more and more expensive. Afterwards, the season is very long, we will have fifteen matches in a row, there will be a lot of rotations. But the competition is healthy, we all train for one goal, to get the Brennus».
We imagine that you will be watching for Fabien Galthié’s next list?
«It’s really a goal that I set in mind and I’m going to try to join the French team soon. Why not from the Six Nations Tournament? It will come down to my performance this weekend, my desire, my mentality, my profile. I’m a little taller than the other two (Paul Costes from Toulouse and Émilien Gailleton from Pau), we don’t have the same style of play, we’ll see who likes it. My profile reminds me of Yannick Jauzion in terms of height and weight but the one who impresses me the most is Sonny Bill Williams. He kept the ball alive with off-loads all the time, a style of play that I would like to implement. Bringing the ball to life is also French flair.»
#profile #reminds #Yannick #Jauzion #notes #UBB #U20 #world #champion #Nicolas #Depoortère