French left pillar Jefferson Poirot (36 caps), vice-captain of the XV of France during the last World Cup in Japan, announced Sunday on his Instagram account his international retirement, at only 27 years old. “It's time for me to tell you about the difficult decision (…) made a few months ago. To take a step back from the Holy Grail that is the French Team, this wonderful team that is so dreaming, that is so hard to reach but that is also sometimes difficult, "wrote the player. of the Union Bordeaux-Bègles.
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It's time for me to tell you about the difficult decision I made a few months ago. To take a step back from the grail that is the French Team, this wonderful team that is so dreaming, which is so hard to reach but which is also sometimes trying. As with many players who have had the chance to meet her, she has always filled me with joy. After 5 seasons to get involved, to participate in this race against the clock, I decided to take a step back, to devote myself fully to other personal goals. This decision will allow me to no longer have the feeling of being, at 50%, on all fronts, and to refocus on a 100% objective. The goal that obsesses me more and more to win club titles, to pass a milestone in my playing career, and to be a full-time Dad. Those who do not know me will be surprised, perhaps disappointed, those who know me will be able to understand. My loved ones support me, and this decision has been carefully considered, in no case is it a whim: it is for me the right decision. The upright man, the father, is the one who makes the right decisions, at the right time, to be as tall as possible. I would like to thank coaches, players, volunteers, managers that I have had the honor of meeting for the past 5 years in blue, thank all of the French players in the 2019 World Cup. The culmination of my international career, it will remain forever engraved in me. I wish good luck to the French team for the future, I am convinced that this team has a bright future. This exceptional generation, the means put in place by the federation and the sports staff, is "the France 2023 generation"! I wish her to be the first World Champion. French rugby deserves it, and I am happy to have been able to participate, humbly, in all the stages that will allow it to achieve, I hope, this magnificent objective. Now confined to the status of supporter of the XV of France, I love you! See you soon. Jeff Poirot
A post shared by Jefferson Poirot (@jeff_poirot) on Jun 7, 2020 at 7:16 am PDT
"After 5 seasons of investing in it, participating in this race against the clock, I decided to take a step back to devote myself fully to other personal goals", continued the native of Isle-Adam ( Val d'Oise). He says he is obsessed with "the goal of winning club titles, going through [his] playing career, and being a full-time Dad."
Removable during the Brunel era, with 31 tenures since his debut in Blue in February 2016, Poirot's position in the France group then faltered since the elimination in the quarterfinals of the World Cup against Wales (19-20 ) and the arrival of Fabien Galthié as coach. Vice-captain of the Blues in Japan, his name had circulated to take the armband after the retirement of Guilhem Guirado. But it did not happen.
A relief to be on the bench
Confined to an unusual replacement role during the last Six Nations Tournament, Poirot had even been put out of the group during the match against Wales, doubled in the hierarchy by the young Cyril Baille (Toulouse) and Jean-Baptiste Gros ( Toulon).
“This replacement situation could have revolted me. But no (…) It's hard, but the effect was opposite. It relieved me. The decision was even easier to validate. This is why I am making the right decision, "said Jefferson Poirot in an interview with L'Equipe.
Asked about a possible reversal, the UBB player said his decision was "firm and final", refusing to go to the France team "for the wrong reasons" despite the World Cup organized in France in 2023 "It will be a huge event! And I hope the Blues will be world champions. But that was never taken into account in my decision, ”assured Poirot.
- UBB
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- XV of France
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