Théo Attissogbe France rugby Fiji match preview, Digi Mart USA News: Théo Attissogbe, who has played more at fullback with Pau since the start of the season, says he has progressed most in kicking play, which he describes as increasingly important in today’s rugby. He says he spends considerable time working on it at club and with the French national team.
In the France side, that role was often filled by a second fly-half such as Thomas Ramos. Attissogbe says the team’s game plan differs from Pau’s, but he has been part of the French group for several years and will try to rely on his own strengths to contribute to the collective.
He notes that fullback differs from wing because it requires helping to direct play alongside Romain Ntamack, and that he must be able to step in for Ntamack and Antoine Dupont when the situation demands it. He says the players have felt the leadership of Dupont and Ntamack at every training session since the gathering, and that playing around them has become simpler.
Attissogbe also praised teammate Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, his partner at Pau, describing him as a major athlete with impressive physical qualities, high acceleration and pure speed that make him highly unpredictable. He said Grandidier-Nkanang is also strong in aerial contests and enjoys defending and carrying out many tasks.
Asked about the backline combination with Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Grandidier-Nkanang, Attissogbe said the group’s profiles favor speed and space, but that the key will be finding one another and alternating their play to remain as unpredictable as possible in order to adapt to the opponent.
Attissogbe also said his experience in rugby sevens has helped him, citing the demands of that format, where every action such as rucks, tackles and contesting possession must be executed at full intensity because possession is paramount.
Finally, he said the French players know most of the Fijian three-quarters because the majority play in the French championship, and he expects a tough contest on Saturday. The French side must be ready to respond to that challenge and contain as many of Fiji’s attacks as possible.
