Théo Attissogbe France rugby second playmaker Fiji, Digi Mart USA News: Théo Attissogbe is widely expected to start at fullback for France against Fiji on Saturday in Lyon, and he could play a significant role in organizing the French attack.
France must adapt with Thomas Ramos and Matthieu Jalibert both absent for the second part of the Nations Championship. Coach Fabien Galthié no longer has two key players in the Bleus’ attacking structure, and the expected return of the Dupont–Ntamack halves may help restore some familiar patterns, though the fullback position remains open.
Asked on Tuesday about the absences, attack coach Patrick Arlettaz offered insight into the staff’s thinking. “Théo is an intelligent player.
We will be able to make him a bit more hybrid,” he said. According to Arlettaz, the Pau back has the qualities to act as a second playmaker without exactly replicating Thomas Ramos’s game, an important distinction given that the Toulouse back usually occupies a central role in building French attacks.
Over several seasons, Ramos has contributed far more than his kicking and distribution. His ability to operate in the attacking line, distribute the ball and make decisions behind the fly-half has given France additional attacking options, including an alternative to Romain Ntamack when he is involved early in a phase or when the Bleus want to move the ball quickly to the wings.
With Attissogbe, the system could work differently. The Pau international is primarily valued for his speed, support running and movement, which make him dangerous when he receives the ball in good positions.
His use as a second playmaker does not necessarily mean he will make decisions as often as Ramos, and he could contribute more selectively to distribution before returning to a supporting or finishing role depending on the situation.
This difference in profile could change how responsibilities are shared in the back line. With Dupont and Ntamack in the halves, France already has two players able to direct play and read space, so the challenge will be determining when Attissogbe should intervene in the organization without losing the qualities that make him effective on the wing.
Arlettaz nevertheless stressed that the staff does not intend to overhaul its attacking principles. The aim is to adapt players’ roles to their characteristics rather than completely change France’s structure, a logical choice given several important absences and limited time to work on combinations.
Against Fiji, this adaptation could be particularly important. Fijian players possess physical and individual qualities that make one-on-one situations especially dangerous.
France will need to maintain a sufficiently solid collective structure to avoid isolated initiatives, and a second playmaker could help provide several options if the opposing defense slows or disrupts an initial attacking phase.
It remains to be seen how much freedom Attissogbe will have within this system. While he has the qualities to bring a different dimension to France’s attack, a possible start at fullback would also serve as a test in a more demanding role requiring strong game reading.
For the French staff, the objective is not to recreate a second Thomas Ramos, but to maintain an effective attacking structure by exploiting a different profile.
