Fujiyoshida (Japan) (AFP)

A last for the road: at 33, Louis Picamoles approaches the World Cup in Japan in the shoes of a likely replacement, and an old wishing to "enjoy the last moments" with the XV of France as transmitting his experience to his younger teammates.

We appreciate all the more life that has escaped death. Sporty, and with the Blues for Picamoles (79 selections): the Montpellier, who will retire internationally after the World Cup (September 20-November 2), almost did not see the country of the rising sun, threatened by the The emergence of Grégory Alldritt and Charles Ollivon as N.8. As well as by his own performance, sawtooth.

Also, between the last game of preparation, Friday, August 30 against Italy (47-19), and the announcement of the list of 31 retained, three days later, the wait was long. "It was a little complicated for the family, we came back on Saturday and we had to wait until Monday, it was a bit long, especially for my wife because I was not particularly involved (at home)," explains Picamoles in Fujiyoshida , where the Blues are preparing.

Stress has given way "a great joy and a good relief" to continue for at least a month the adventure with the XV of France, started in 2008.

- "Close to young people" -

She almost stopped at Saint-Denis. That's partly why "Loulou" spoke among his teammates on the pitch after the success against the Azzurri. Filmed by television cameras - "I did not necessarily pay attention" - he called his partners, remembering the time spent sweating at 37 throughout the summer. Especially for the six who would stay at the dock.

"As I said to my teammates, it was my last match at the Stade de France, so obviously a special moment, and without having any certainty to be part of the 31. That's why I had need to express to my teammates what I felt, on the job, "says Picamoles.

Dean of the group, he also spoke to them because he said he was in a process of transmission, to return the elevator: "When I was young, I was very close to the elders. an elder, I try to be close to young people so that they are good, it has helped me a lot in my construction and my career, so if I can return the favor, with pleasure. "

- Give, take and exchange -

Pleasure. The word came back several times in his mouth on Wednesday in Fujiyoshida. To transmit, therefore, but also, more selfishly, to savor his last weeks of international. And his third World Cup, after feeling individual "frustration" in 2011 - he had played very little - and "collective" in 2015, concluded by the defeat in the quarterfinals against the All Blacks (62-13 ).

"I do not want to take the lead with trivia, just to get a lot of fun, to give what I can give the team and my teammates, take what they can give me. , do not ask me negative questions, try to be positive with the group and move forward, go forward and see where it will lead us, "he says.

First in the first match against Argentina, on September 21, he should not start - if not play - him the former incumbent at the post of N.8. "We are all competitors, we all want to start and be in the field, and after that I do not see it badly, as I said: I give my maximum to training but I do not try to show myself ", says Picamoles.

"Grégory (Alldritt) is very good in N.8, it is he who starts the competition," he adds. "I am thoroughly behind him, if I can help him, I will help him."

© 2019 AFP