This was clearly a successful Six Nations for France. Successful in the sense of retaining their title, but still slightly underwhelming given a Grand Slam could have been there for the taking. On the whole, it feels like this tournament was a 7 out of 10 or a B+ for France: it was good, but still plenty of room for improvement.
This was clearly a successful Six Nations for France. Successful in the sense of retaining their title, but still slightly underwhelming given a Grand Slam could have been there for the taking. On the whole, it feels like this tournament was a 7 out of 10 or a B+ for France: it was good, but still plenty of room for improvement.
In that spirit, here are how each of the individuals rated across the tournament. Statistics, metrics and data are used to measure players in all sorts of ways these days, but these have been largely based on vibes. Unsurprisingly, it averages out at around 7 out of 10…
Jean-Baptiste GROS - 7
Invaluable to France given broader scrum issues on the tighthead side, but not yet a destroyer at the set piece. Work rate in the loose was outstanding. Quietly one of the most important members of this French side.
Rodrigue NETI - 5
Played more minutes than you might have thought. Barely noticeable in his appearances off the bench, which given France's scrummaging issues is maybe no bad thing. A solid option, but France's loosehead stocks are slightly deeper than on the other side so this represents a missed opportunity to translate his excellent club form onto the international stage.
Julien MARCHAND - 8
Has received some criticism given a tricky outing against Scotland. Line out issues in that game aside, his lineout accuracy was excellent. A very solid campaign: he was tireless in the loose and re-solidified himself as the frontline hooker.
Péato MAUVAKA - 6
Some way off his blockbuster best post injury, Galthié would have expected him to bring more explosive impact from the bench, but consistent nevertheless. France will be hoping he can hit the heights that saw him usurp Marchand initially.
Maxime LAMOTHE - 6
Looked lively in a sole 30 minute appearance against Wales. One of European rugby's best club hookers, unfortunate to be behind the Toulouse duo.
Dorian ALDEGHERI - 4.5
France's issues at tighthead are clear for all to see, although it's not Aldegheri's fault that there are limited other options. A clear team favourite but France have to find an alternative starting no.3 ahead of the World Cup. Injuries didn’t help Galthié but this tournament feels like a missed opportunity to test out other options.
Régis MONTAGNE - 6
Injury prevented him from featuring further, and you wonder whether he may have challenged Aldegheri for a starting berth were it not for that. Very active in the appearances he did make. Feels like a lot is expected of Montagne, and if fit, expect France to invest in him ahead of the World Cup.
Georges-Henri COLOMBE - 6
Limited to a sole bench appearance against Italy, and another one who could have staked a claim of the starting tighthead berth were it not for injury. Ludicrously physical in the loose but questions remain around scrum time. If he can find fitness, needs investing in with eye on World Cup. Went toe-to-toe for 80 mins against the All Blacks not long ago. Still optimistic his best is yet to come.
Demba BAMBA - 6
Impressed having been recalled against Scotland, scrummaging (just about)solid enough in that game and dynamic in the loose. Appearance off the bench one to forget against England, struggling at the scrum and being sin binned. Part of a group of tightheads with plenty of raw materials but persistent big question marks over their scrummaging credentials.
Charles OLLIVON - 8.5
Superb to see him back performing at this level. Injuries have not dented his athletic prowess. What an option to have in the second or back row. Pace, skill and a towering presence at the lineout. Should have won Player of the Match against Wales.
Mickaël GUILLARD - 8
Like Ollivon, the Lyon man is an incredible option across the back 5. Startling performance against Ireland and brilliant off the bench when France were losing the physical battle against England. He may not be a guaranteed starter, but he’s nailed on in France's best 23.
Hugo AURADOU - 5
Did little wrong against Ireland but it's now clear Galthie either doesn't trust him or quite know how to use him off the bench. Arguably the stand out lock in the Top 14 this season, but has slid down the pecking order behind Ollivon, and arguably now Brennan.
Emmanuel MEAFOU - 9
France's stand out forward whenever he was on the pitch, and foremost lock in a tournament when French second rows excelled. Physical beyond belief when starting against the two most abrasive opposition packs in the competition, with oodles of skill too. Not far off LBB in the cheat code stakes.
Thibaud FLAMENT - 6.5
Used as a starter and off the bench through the tournament. Very good against Italy and typically solid in every game. Under greater challenge now for the title of France’s premier second row, and perhaps less eye catching in this tournament than Meafou, Ollivon and Guillard. Says more about their brilliance than any lack of quality on Flament's part.
François CROS - 6
Integral to this Galthié side. It’s a cliché that he does his best work in the shadows but, even for him, would have expect to see more visible impact. He had a slowish start to the tournament but was brilliant against England with the tournament on the line. Don't see him being shifted from the No.6 jersey any time soon.
Oscar JÉGOU - 7
A very silly boy, but France's stand out back row in this campaign. Belies his size with workrate, often first to a loose ball and an excellent link man in attack. Outstanding rugby IQ at odds with an utterly brainless act against Scotland that resulted in a ban that really should have been longer. Loses a mark for that.
Anthony JELONCH - 6
Strong showing particularly against Scotland before injury but you wonder whether 8 is his best position internationally. His defensive aggression was missed particularly in the first half of the England game. The backrow balance does feel slightly off, which he seems to epitomise, and as a unit the lack of pace and breakdown threat was exposed in the last two games.
Lenni NOUCHI - 7
Impressed off the bench bringing a level of directness that's perhaps not the immediate strength of France's starters. Feels like there is plenty more he can give this side, but non-selection for the England game suggests Galthié may not be quite as convinced.
Temo MATIU - 5
The halftime hook against England was not quite reflective of his performance. Showed he could mix it ball in hand and didn't want for power, but it felt like this was a significant step up from club level. Would like to see him given more chances going forward.
Joshua BRENNAN - N/A
Something of a surprise inclusion on the bench for the England game and was tidy enough in his 15 minutes in the chaos of Le Crunch.
Antoine DUPONT - 7
Still clearly not at his sharpest following horror injury, but don't believe the naysayers. Not at his superhuman, highlight-reel best, but defensively produced some incredible moments and his kicking game is unparalleled. Instrumental in so much of France’s attack still. Looked like he was flagging towards the end of games in the latter half of the tournament, which shows he’s human, and Galthie may have been wise to employ Baptiste Serin earlier in a couple of fixtures.
Baptiste SERIN - 7
Minutes limited but purred with class in the limited opportunities he got. Not controversial to suggest he should have replaced a leggy Dupont earlier in a couple of games. Brought up 50 caps. A high class option among France's stable of scrumhalf options, but not really given the opportunity to fully nail down position as second-choice.
Matthieu JALIBERT - 9
France's attack markedly improved from the Autumn as a direct result of his performances. Kicking and defensive game have come on so much. Translated club form to country and could have done little more to stake claim as first choice No.10. Fitting that in spite of an injudicious intercept in the final game, it was his break that gave France territory to kick for the tournament.
Yoram MOEFANA - 6
Struggled to replicate his brilliant 2025 Six Nations performances having not long come back from injury, and looked a tad rusty. Moments of class interspersed with some strange decisions, particularly defensively at Murrayfield. Rightly retained for the business end of the tournament, but will come under pressure from Brau-Boirie, Gourgues and co.
Nicolas DEPOORTÈRE - 8
Limited minutes owing to injury but France look more assured in attack and defense with him there. Looked like he was playing a different game at times against Ireland such was his dominance. The best of a very promising crop of new centres, and should be a nailed on starter when fit.
Kalvin GOURGUES - 5
Didn't quite go his way and made a few mistakes in his sole half hour off the bench against Ireland, before being ruled out through injury. Among the precocious centre options. His time will come.
Fabien BRAU-BOIRIE - 8
The youngest and arguably most impressive of the young centre options in this tournament. Looked completely at home and provided a degree of solidity both sides of the ball that lacked in the latter half of the tournament, not missing a tackle in his two appearances. Will push Moefana for a starting 12 berth in the months to come.
Émilien GAILLETON - 6.5
Showed dashes of class and looked particularly at home alongside his Pau counterpart Brau-Boirie. His relative lack of physicality led to a couple of shaky moments defensively against Italy. Surprisingly not used off the bench against England - arguably a game he should have started. Feels like Galthié likes him, but doesn’t know how to get the best out of him.
Noah NÉNÉ - 4
Looked like a man trying to do too much off the bench against Wales. Only has 12 Top 14 appearances so can be forgiven for being over eager. Will likely be around future squads given immense physical attributes. Hopefully a big future ahead.
Pierre-Louis BARASSI - 6
Clear this coaching setup rates the Toulouse man but he hasn't quite translated his blistering club form to the international stage to repay that faith. Showed some attacking glimpses ball in hand but the centre pairing with Moefana isn’t working for France in defence.
Louis BIELLE-BIARREY - 9.5
Player of the tournament, and a global rugby superstar. Aerial and defensive game have improved out of site but it's the pure try-scoring ability that stands out. The phrase cheat code couldn't be more apt. A phenom.
Théo ATTISSOGBE - 6.5
Justified his selection over Damian Penaud without totally convincing in all aspects. A strong finisher, and huge workrate meant that he got himself involved in so many little moments to showcase some sublime skills, but we didn’t see the full repertoire of his talent. Can do much better under the high ball, and was occasionally shaky defensively. Still only 21, the ceiling remains high, and the shirt is his to lose.
Gaël DRÉAN - 7
Looked very much at home against Italy, particularly defensively with some monster hits on kick chase. Chances may be limited behind Attissogbe and, whisper it, Penaud.
Thomas RAMOS - 7.5
Feels like an eternity ago, but the try assist volley on the opening night was majestic. Dovetailed beautifully with Jalibert in attack to bring the best out of both players and give France’s attack more variety. No coincidence that his weakest performance was against Italy when he didn’t have Jalibert to share the playmaking burden with. Showed some proper spuds on the final day, and perfectly rounded off another unerring tournament off the kicking tee.