2023-12-16 00:34:28
Since his return to Racing 92 after the World Cup, the three-quarter international center has struggled to find his best level.
It’s a recurring problem. Since the disillusionment of the quarter-final of the last World Cup lost to the Springboks, the French internationals have struggled to find form. This was particularly the case of the captain of the Blues, Antoine Dupont, and his Toulouse teammates. On the side of Racing 92, Gaël Fickou is in the same situation. Dull performances, without cutting edge on the attacking front, but – and this is more worrying – failures in defense, a sector where he generally shines, since Fabien Galthié and his deputy Shaun Edwards had made him their defense captain for the XV of France. “We hear the criticism, we accept it. Gaël accepts it too. We assume,” the French coach recently explained to Olympic noon.
Last Sunday, the three-quarter international center found himself in great difficulty against the unleashed Harlequins. Suffering in particular a huge “stop” from the solid South African Andre Esterhuizen who took everything in his path to score. Like his team pierced on all sides by the Quins, Fickou had an inside match. Like since his return from the World Cup. “Against good ball carriers like Esterhuizen, we have to be more consistent on our defense”Lancaster regretted on Sunday.
“There is no reason why he should not continue to pull us up”
But on the Racing 92 side, we are not overly worried. The native of La Seyne-sur-Mer is one of the leaders of the team, an executive who has become essential. “He’s a great player, he’s our captain and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t continue to push us to the top.” insists opener Antoine Gibert who emphasizes that the failure was collective last Sunday. “He didn’t have a great match but no one had a great match. It’s a collective stop, he says. Gaël came back from the World Cup very happy to see us again and his first performances with us were good.
His manager Stuart Lancaster prefers to point out that, on the pitch, Gaël Fickou is particularly exposed. “Due to his position as second center, Gaël must manage situations which can become complicated if a ruck just before has not been slowed down sufficiently, he detailed at a press conference. In a second, a lot can change for him. The pressure he has to deal with depends a lot on what is happening before him, inside him.
This observation concerns the defensive sector, but the former Toulouse and Stade Français player is also in difficulty on the offensive level. Struggling to be the attack regulator he usually is, or to make any differences.
“I’m not worried about him.”
Here again, Stuart Lancaster, who has just arrived in Hauts-de-Seine, is not “not worried about him.” Aware that he must manage a group made up of internationals, who have returned from the World Cup and who will soon leave for the Six Nations Tournament, the English technician is carrying out a strong rotation of his squad. Allowing some to regenerate, while others take over. A healthy emulation which should allow the Globalists to quickly return to the game.
In the meantime, the Racing 92 center continues and will play a crucial match, this Saturday (9 p.m.), on the Ulster pitch. A daunting challenge in Ravenhill, one of the most hostile lands in Europe. Gusts of wind, no rain a priori, but freezing temperatures, far from the cozy comfort of Paris La Défense Arena. The Ciel et Blanc are already playing big. And will really need a rediscovered Gaël Fickou. Its young opener Antoine Gibert warns: “I am convinced that, from Saturday, he will silence a lot of mouths…”
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