Martin Lange / Photo credits: Harry Trump / GETTY IMAGES EUROPE / Getty Images via AFP
A few days before the meeting with England on Saturday, the French are returning to training. And among the stars of the team, a new face appears: Antoine Frisch. At 27 years old, the Frenchman has a career that is, to say the least… singular.
After its brilliant victory on Sunday against Wales, the French XV returns to training this Tuesday, before the last match of the tournament. And before meeting the English, Fabien Galthié called on a newcomer: Antoine Frisch, 27 years old and no matches in the first division.
A unique trajectory
At 27 years old, Antoine Frisch has never played in the Top 14! After having scoured the 3rd and 2nd divisions, he has exploded for two years in the Irish province of Munster. A trajectory that even surprises his trainer at Stade Français, Jean-Baptiste Dimartino.
“Today, the person who said that Antoine Frisch would be in the French team when he was in Federal 1 five years ago was a bit of a soothsayer,” he jokes at the microphone of Europe 1. “What makes the difference compared to the others is, I think, his very developed intellect. And he knows where he wants to go and how he should go there,” adds the trainer.
A profile that seduces
“He slipped through the cracks,” notes Christophe Hamacek, his former coach in Rouen. “He’s a player who is also atypical in his game. He’s a born attacker! If they could play all the balls and attack them, he would do it. Antoine for me, it’s really French flair”, he concludes.
And this atypical profile really appeals to Andy Farrell, the Ireland coach. Moreover, Frisch has already played a match with the Irish development team. By calling him Fabien Galthié also avoids the flight of talent across the Channel.