This Saturday, March 15, 2025, the XV de France will take the field against Scotland in the final match of the 2025 Six Nations Tournament, carrying the hopes of winning a title they haven't secured for too long. Sadly, they will face this challenge without their captain, Antoine Dupont, who sustained a ruptured cruciate ligament during last week's game against Ireland. His absence is expected to be deeply felt, and Maxime Lucu will step up to fill the scrum-half position.
After traveling across Europe, the XV de France returns to the Stade de France, eager to make their mark at home. While their hopes for a Grand Slam faded after falling to England, Fabien Galthié’s team still clings to the possibility of claiming the tournament trophy with a victory over Scotland. A win could securely place only their second title under Galthié's leadership since he took over the reins of the team.
Antoine Dupont's injury has introduced considerable upheaval within the squad. The French star is facing up to nine months on the sidelines, which would rule him out of significant international fixtures. This is where Lucu’s opportunity arises; he was previously demoted to third choice last year but has worked hard to reclaim his spot. Guiding the team through this transition, former international Guy Accocebery noted during an interview with Le Parisien how quickly Lucu regained the confidence of the players around him. “He had been criticized before,” Accocebery stated. “But he wasn’t playing under ideal conditions. When you play behind a shaky pack, it’s tough to perform.”
Accocebery shared how impressed he was with Lucu’s recent performances, particularly during the last match against Ireland when he replaced Dupont. “He reassured everyone after just five minutes on the field,” he praised. “It shows his character and resilience, and he deserves this chance.” According to Accocebery, Lucu embodies reliability: “He’s a leader, resilient, and possesses great skills.”
Meanwhile, another rising star on the French team is Louis Bielle-Biarrey, affectionately nicknamed Bip Bip for his astounding speed. Bearing testimony to his athletic abilities, he clocked more than 37 km/h during training last May. The 21-year-old has already made 18 selections with the XV de France and will undoubtedly be one of the main draws against Scotland this Saturday.
With Antoine Dupont missing from the game, Bielle-Biarrey's role will be magnified as France strives to win its first Six Nations title since 2022. France faces Scotland who, after making strides under their own head coach, promise to give the hosts a good battle.
The stakes are high on Saturday. A win not only means claiming the Six Nations title but restoring pride after their 2024 campaign fell short. “We have to win convincingly,” said Fabien Galthié, the head coach. His team understands the gravity of the match and wants to show resilience and determination.
Besides his prowess on the pitch, Bielle-Biarrey enjoys significant popularity off it, boasting over 180,000 followers on Instagram, where he shares insights from his life as both an athlete and young man. He enjoyed vacationing on the island of La Réunion last December, showcasing his adventurous side. While many were spending the winter holidays with family, he spent time exploring the beautiful island.
During his trip, photos surfaced of him enjoying the sun and sharing lovely moments with a mysterious brunette companion. They looked happy together, sharing selfies, and soaking up the sun on the gorgeous beaches of La Réunion. Though Bielle-Biarrey prefers to keep his personal life private, these glimpses only accentuate the growing intrigue surrounding the young athlete.
Saturday's game promises to be both thrilling and significant for the XV de France, with both anticipated personal performances and collective achievements at stake. Rugby fans eagerly await this encounter, hoping for sparks to fly as the French team fights not only for victory but for redemption and pride on home soil.