Théo Attissogbe France rugby team preparation, Digi Mart USA News (France): Repositioned at fullback for club side Section Paloise since the start of the season, Théo Attissogbe, 21, who has 16 caps for France, is expected to play in that position for the national team on Saturday against Fiji.
Attissogbe has been moved to the back five times in six starts with Section Paloise this season, following an injury to Jack Maddocks. He said he likes moving between the winger and fullback positions and that kicking in open play is an important area of development for him, adding that he spends considerable time working on it.
On the national team, the fullback acts as a second playmaker. Attissogbe acknowledged that the game plan differs from the one used at Pau, but said he has been part of the France group for several years and has adapted to its demands.
He said the system can be adjusted to individual players and that his profile differs from that of Thomas Ramos, so he intends to rely on his own qualities to contribute to the collective.
Asked about the role of Thomas Ramos and Matthieu Jalibert in relieving the midfield, Attissogbe said he must adapt to the team’s game plan. He said he may have a somewhat different profile, but must be able to ease the load on Romain Ntamack at certain moments in running the attack, supporting both Romain and Antoine Dupont in directing play.
Attissogbe will form an unfamiliar back three with Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang and Louis Bielle-Biarrey on the wings. He said the key will be finding one another well and alternating their play to remain as unpredictable as possible in order to adapt to the opponent.
He noted that all three share a strong appetite for attacking movement and space.
