France hosts South Africa to open their Autumn Nations Series campaign on Saturday - the perfect chance for Stade Toulousain’s Thibaud Flament and Union Bordeaux Bègles’ Maxime Lucu to test themselves ahead of the Investec Champions Cup.
Perhaps the biggest storyline heading into this Saturday’s France-South Africa clash is the 2023 World Cup quarter-final.
The Springboks edged that one by the thinnest of one-point margins (28-29) to dump Les Bleus out on home soil in what will go down as one of the greatest World Cup games in history.
And while rugby stars often say how important it is to look towards the future, past traumas are sure to be playing a part in France’s preparations this week.
Stade Toulousain’s Thibaud Flament and Union Bordeaux Bègles’ (UBB) Maxime Lucu - two sides who have developed a tasty rivalry thanks to recent Investec Champions Cup and TOP 14 encounters - will be putting club colours aside as they battle for French pride this weekend.
“We’ve got a massive November ahead of us”, Flament said.
“South Africa is a great side that managed to win the Rugby Championship even after a tricky start."
“They’ve dominated world rugby for years. What they’ve achieved is amazing”, the Toulousain lock explained."
As for Lucu, the UBB scrum-half is keen for revenge:
“It was a massive defeat for us (the World Cup quarter-final in 2023)”, he started.
“For us, the French people, it’s really stuck with us."
“It was our World Cup and they came and stole it from us. It was such a great game”.
So, the chance to go up against some old foes is one Lucu is relishing.
“We can’t wait to take them on."
“They’re back-to-back world champions. Everything’s set up perfectly for a great game.”
While the ‘Boks are often renowned for their brutal strength in the pack, Lucu remained conscious of the wholesale threats Rassie Erasmus’ men pose across the park.
“They’re much more than just brutes."
“It’s true they’re unbelievably strong, but they’ve also got a lot of quick and nimble youngsters coming through."
“There's talent everywhere; they’re a complete side”, he said.
With the date set and the prep work almost done, only time will tell if France can get one back over South Africa this Saturday.
