Lovers of the oval are pawing with impatience. Only a few hours left before the launch of the Rugby World Cup, organized this year in France. If the fans are counting down the hours, the players are also waiting for only one thing: to battle it out on the green rectangle. And some of them will deserve special attention during these six weeks of competition.
Paul Boudehent: the young wolf
He played his very first selections during the preparation matches for the XV of France. An entirely relative experience at the international level which did not prevent Fabien Galthié to add his name to the list of 33 players selected. It must be said that the 22-year-old flanker is not a novice at the highest level.
An indisputable starter with La Rochelle, he played 66 minutes of the last Champion’s Cup final, won by the Maritimes at the expense of the Irish Leinster. This Friday, he will return to the pitch of the Stade de France, which he had already set foot on last June 17 in the Top 14 final, lost this time, against Stade Toulousain. Enough to attract the attentive gaze of Fabien Galthié’s staff who therefore decided to take the young Boudehent to the upper floor. That of the highest level in the world.
Ange Capuozzo: the rough diamond of the boot
He too could have worn the jersey flanked by the rooster. But during this French World Cup, the Grenoble nugget will be one of the opponents of Fabien Galthié’s troop since he will defend the colors of the Nazionale, placed in the France group. The Stade Toulousain full-back, sometimes used on the wings, therefore opted for Italy, the homeland of his grandparents, to the delight of a selection in full progress.
Calcio d’inizio del World Cup 2023.
The rugby festival has come @France2023@Federugbypic.twitter.com/ZDUl0bikt9— Ange Capuozzo (@CapuozzoAnge) September 6, 2023
If the transalpine XV does not yet shake the strongholds of world rugby, it is gradually gaining credibility, as evidenced by this historic success obtained against Australia less than a year ago. A match where Capuozzo stood out, scoring a double. At club level, he cut his teeth at his hometown club, Grenoble, before joining the rotation at Stade Toulousain. Crowned with the title of revelation of the year in 2022, he will be Italy’s main asset, during a World Cup where he could well explode in front of the world.
Ardie Savea: the keystone of the Blacks
The Blues’ first opponent during the opening match this Friday, the New Zealand no longer arouses as much fear as before. However, making them easy prey would be reckless as this team is full of sure value. Some people talk about a generation in decline, but what a generation! And third row Ardie Savéa is one of its proudest representatives. At almost 30 years old, the Wellington Hurricanes player is preparing to play his second World Cup.
Presenting your All Blacks team for RWC 2023 #AllBlackspic.twitter.com/eluEL3KupZ
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) September 1, 2023
Particularly prolific (21 tries in 73 selections), Savéa could quickly cause some torment to the French forwards, with his agility, his defensive intensity and his devastating power with the ball in hand. So many qualities that Blacks will greatly need to conform to their status.
Siya Kolisi: the heart of the Springboks
His talent will soon splash the lawns of the Top 14 as the South African captain will join Racing 92 at the end of the tournament. In the meantime, Siya Kolisi will try to guide the Springboks to a fourth world championship title, four years after the one won in Japan. A victorious campaign in which he was already one of the main protagonists. Like his counterpart Ardie Savéa, he stands out for his remarkable explosiveness considering his size (1.88m, 105kg).
“We accept the pressure and we want to do something special that only New Zealand has done: win back-to-back World Cups. We know what that means for us, for the country,” he said recently . An exemplary captain with undisputed leadership, Siya Kolisi could have given up on the high mass of rugby due to a stubborn knee which ultimately left him in peace at the best of times.
Jonathan Sexton: the last dance of an old hand
At 38 years old and with 113 caps for the Irish jersey, Jonathan “Jonny” Sexton has his napkin ring at the table of world rugby legends. An exceptional career that just needs to end in apotheosis. Ireland has still not joined the very closed circle of winners of the Webb-Ellis Trophy but appears this year as one of the main candidates for the title. And will be able to count on his eternal playing master again.
Voted best player in the world in 2018, record holder for the number of points in the VI Nations Tournament, quadruple European champion with Leinster, the Clover opener has little left to prove. Many times shocked, Jonny Sexton has seen all the colors since his debut in 2006, and now dreams of seeing gold around his neck on October 28.