Mickaël Guillard physical transformation, Digi Mart USA News: Mickaël Guillard has changed dramatically since this summer. After a difficult season with LOU, marked by disappointing performances and a serious knee injury, the 25-year-old French international second row decided to reassess himself.
He has returned to his playing weight of 120 kilograms, is producing strong Top 14 performances and has set a new ambition with the French national team.
The change in the player has not gone unnoticed in the Lyon dressing room. Physically sharper and more committed day to day, Guillard appears to have taken a step forward after a summer in which he became aware of the demands of the highest level.
A teammate at LOU summed up the change to Le Progrès.
He described the development of the Lyon second row: “Mika has changed. He is no longer the same.
He matured over the summer. He has finally become the top-level rugby player who was dormant inside him.”
The previous season had been especially hard for Guillard. He struggled physically and suffered a rupture of the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during the home match against Castres on April 25.
Selected anyway for the French national team’s summer tour of New Zealand, he earned only a place on the bench for the first test before watching the next two matches from the stands.
That situation appears to have produced a real awakening. Guillard acknowledges that he needed a jolt to change his habits.
He explained how repeated comments about his physical condition eventually had an effect: “I was confronted with reality over the summer. I knew I was too heavy, but I couldn’t bring myself to act.
Karim (Ghezal) had told me many times. We talked about it again with the French team.
I probably needed that trigger to truly become aware and question myself.”
Since then, the second row has added extra work in training and is paying close attention to his diet. “I enjoy the pleasures of life and good food, but if I want to reach my goals, I know I have to be more serious about my lifestyle.” He has reduced his consumption of “sweets and junk food” to get back to his optimal weight.
Back at 120 kilograms, Guillard is having an excellent start to the season with Lyon. His defensive work and ability to repeat efforts reflect his physical progress.
He has a 97% tackle success rate, 56 carries, six defenders beaten and 138 meters gained. He has also played nearly 600 minutes with LOU, including six full matches.
Guillard explained the benefits of his weight loss: “Being lighter, I know I can run more and take on more tasks.” His versatility is also an asset, as he feels capable of playing both second row and back row. He stressed his ability to adapt to his team’s needs: “If the game requires a lot of passing and movement, I know I can deliver.
If it is more direct, that suits me too. Whatever the shape of a match, the most important thing is to be useful to the team.”
Despite his return to form, Guillard knows his place in the French national team is never guaranteed. The Lyon player, who took part in the last two Six Nations tournaments won by France, understands that competition can quickly reshape the pecking order.
“The team belongs to no one. If I get injured, someone will take my place.
If a player performs better than me or a young player emerges from nowhere, he will go ahead of me.”
With the Rugby World Cup in Australia in sight, the second row now wants to confirm his transformation in the French jersey. He is expected to earn his 20th cap on Saturday against Fiji at the Stade de l’Olympique Lyonnais.
