Paul Boudehent was selected in the XV of France as a third line to participate in the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Here is everything you need to know about this young player.
This is one of the names of the major surprises in the composition of the XV of France list for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Paul Boudehent surfed on his magnificent season with La Rochelle to interfere in the band at Fabien Galthie. With the Maritimes, the third wing line was one of the major players in his team’s good season with a title retained in the Champions Cup and a title of vice-champion of France in the Top 14. These performances led him to know his first cap against Scotland in the first preparation match for the World Cup in early August. He chained a second cape against the same nation. An ideal timing which allowed him to find his place in the group thanks to two good performances and a versatile profile in the eyes of the staff (Fabien Galthié mentioned the possibility of seeing him slip into the center position if necessary).
“A certain potential” according to Galthié
Asked about the surprise presence of Boudehent in the list of 33 players selected for the Rugby World Cup, Fabien Galthié returned to this player at a press conference: “Paul came already in 2022 to the rallies, he went -returns, he began to impose himself in a team from La Rochelle, European champions for two seasons. It is a certain potential. He made his way, imposed himself in club. To return to a locker room, you have to make your place, go get the jersey, and then there has to be a little room. For Paul, there was a little room.
“Out of respect, we retain our joy”, testified Paul Boudehent at a press conference to discuss his selection. He said he was “honored” because he knows “all the efforts that must be made and the quality of the players who were not lucky enough to be in the 33”. His physical profile, 1m92 and more than 105 kilos on the scale, makes him an excellent defender who is combined with a good top speed which is precious in attack. Le Rochelais also acknowledged that the excellent health of his club has made it possible to highlight his profile: “The chance I had was to have played with La Rochelle. We had a great season, where we played final stages. As a player, it’s much easier to show what we can do.”
Revealed in Top 14 by La Rochelle
Paul Boudehent was born in Angers on November 21, 1999. His brother Pierre is also a professional rugby player (at the Stade Français). The two brothers were trained at the Sporting Club de l’Ouest in the Angers city before spending a few years at the Stade Nantais. In 2017, he joined the ranks of Stade Rochelais before making his debut with the first team during the 2018/2019 season. In 2020, he goes on the match sheets by revealing himself among the best young people in the Top 14. He is not on the match sheet for his team’s first European title in 2022 but he makes up for it by achieving a good final in 2023 to officially become European champion.
What role with the XV of France?
Paul Boudehent is a very young player in the France team since he has only had three selections in his career, all during the month of August 2023, during preparation for the World Cup. He faced Scotland twice, before coming on against Australia. Boudehent is applying for a place on the bench of the France team at the World Cup.