Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, Digi Mart USA News: Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang has continued to impress since his Olympic title with the France sevens team in 2024. Both with Section Paloise and this summer in the French national jersey, the 26-year-old winger has made a lasting impression.
Despite a later breakthrough than most players at the highest level, the winger has established himself as a core player for Fabien Galthié. He is set to start again on Saturday evening against Fiji at 9:10 p.m., as Thomas Ramos is absent and Théo Attissogbe has been moved to fullback.
At a press conference, Galthié traced the player’s unconventional path. “Aaron has an incredible background.
He grew up in England, then moved to France, to Brive. It was very hard for him.
What relaunched him was rugby sevens on the federal circuit. He rebuilt himself to find confidence in himself.”
Galthié also shared a little-known detail. “To be transparent with you, and this is a good example for many of us and many players, Aaron was not initially in the group of 42 for this summer.
Grégoire Arfeuil was present, but he was injured in Vannes during the match against England when he scored a try in the in-goal area. I called Aaron and told him, ‘You can come, but you may not play.’ He replied, ‘No problem, I’ll take whatever there is to take.'”
Since then, the former Brive player has continued to impress, including a brace against Australia in July. Galthié said the player’s ability to move through several levels stood out.
“What we see in him is great determination and a great capacity to move through levels and milestones. His strength is aerial play, as you have seen, but he has added exceptional intensity in ground combat in his channel.
He has added skills with his kicking game and is becoming unpredictable.”
Galthié added: “Above all, he answers the call. We offered him the chance to start against Australia due to an injury, and he responded.
He came to take the jersey and, for now, he is not letting it go.” Grandidier-Nkanang will now have the opportunity to confirm that form against Fiji on Saturday.
