Jefferson Poirot will start with the French XV against the All Blacks this Saturday in Christchurch, marking a spectacular return three years after announcing his international retirement. The left pillar of Union Bordeaux Bègles, absent from the blue fields since 2020 at only 27 years old, makes a 180-degree turn to line up against New Zealand. This return is not by chance, but the fruit of reflection matured through contact with his Bordeaux entourage and a rediscovered personal ambition.
The objective goes far beyond the simple summer tour. Poirot is now targeting 2027 and the World Cup in Australia, a competition he wants to compete in as leader. Laurent Marti, the president of the UBB, threw all his weight into convincing the international to put on his crampons again.
It is this collective ambition, driven by a coherent club and selection project, which swayed the player's decision. He joins a group in reconstruction, bringing his mass, his technique and his experience to a key sector of the French scrum. His return is part of a broader FFR strategy to rejuvenate the workforce while capitalizing on seasoned profiles, a delicate equation that Poirot embodies perfectly.
The key phrase was dropped by Marti: “You have to finish your career with the World Cup in Australia”. This declaration acted like an electric shock on the pillar, sweeping away his past hesitations and his doubts about his ability to return to the highest level. Poirot listened to this call, realizing that his story with the XV of France was not over.
The staff, and in particular Yannick Bru, welcomed this news with enthusiasm, immediately integrating the pillar into the tactical plans to face the New Zealand machine. This immediate confidence from the technical staff also underlines the tactical importance of the player: his versatile profile allows him to cover several positions on the front line, valuable flexibility in the face of the vagaries of injuries. This match in Christchurch constitutes the first milestone of this new cycle.
For Poirot, it is a question of proving that his decision is justified on the ground against the world elite. The stakes are high: assert yourself now to prepare for the future. The pillar wants to show that his retirement was only a break and that his motivation for the tricolor jersey is stronger than ever, transforming an announced end of his career into a new sporting adventure.
His return is also part of a broader dynamic of the FFR, which relies on feedback like that of Poirot to instill a culture of resilience and commitment within a generation in search of benchmarks. This strategic choice of the FFR also raises questions about the management of players' careers. Poirot, who left at 27, returns at 30, an age where many pillars begin to consider the end of their journey.
His return shows that the balance between individual performance and collective project can sometimes shake up traditional calendars. For the FFR, it is an opportunity to test the mental resistance of players and their ability to bounce back, a criterion that is increasingly scrutinized in the era of ever more demanding competitions. The FFR thus relies on profiles capable of reconciling experience and commitment, even after breaks, to strengthen the competitiveness of the group.
The All Blacks, for their part, will leave no margin for error. Faced with a French team in full reconstruction, they will approach this match with the ambition of confirming their status as favorite. Poirot, accustomed to physical duels against New Zealand props, knows that each scrum will be a test of strength and technique.
His return is therefore also a message sent to the opponent: France is counting on experienced profiles to compete, even with a team in transition. This duel in Christchurch promises to be a barometer of the French level, where the ability to manage pressure and perform in adversity will be decisive. This return of Poirot also illustrates a broader trend in modern rugby.
Federations are increasingly looking to integrate experienced players into long-term projects, even after early departures. Its versatile pillar profile, capable of playing both on the left and on the right, makes it a key piece for the FFR. By fielding players like him, France sends a clear signal: ambition takes precedence over linear routes, and loyalty to the jersey can transcend breaks.
For Poirot, this match is much more than a return: it is a declaration of intentions, a commitment to serve the XV of France until 2027 and beyond. The French technical staff, aware of the stakes, have already planned a gradual integration of Poirot into the phases of play. His experience in club and selection will be crucial to supervise young people like Reda Wardi or Jean-Baptiste Gros, two pillars on the rise.
The FFR relies on this transmission to create a virtuous dynamic, where experience feeds immediate performance and prepares for the future. Poirot embodies this bridge between generations, a key role in a team undergoing rapid change. This duel in Christchurch promises to be a barometer of the French level.
For Poirot, it is the opportunity to show that his return is not a one-off coup, but the beginning of a new era. The FFR is banking on him to embody this generational transition, while remembering that experience remains a major asset in modern rugby. Read at Sud Ouest Sport
Why this matters
The return of Jefferson Poirot to the French XV shakes up the dynamics of the squad and sends a strong signal regarding collective ambition. Coming out of his international retirement to aim for 2027, the UBB pillar proves that the desire to serve the tricolor jersey can surpass personal decisions. This sporting renaissance offers France an immediate additional weapon against the All Blacks while laying the foundations for a competitive future generation for Australia. His profile also illustrates the ability of French rugby to retain its talents, even after hasty departures, by aligning ambitious projects and motivating speeches. For the FFR, it is a demonstration of strength: showing that French rugby remains a breeding ground where careers can take unexpected turns without losing ambition. This return also redefines expectations around experienced profiles, proving that they can play a key role in building a competitive team, even in times of transition.
Frequently asked
Why did Jefferson Poirot retire from international football?
In 2020, at just 27 years old, Poirot announced that he would end his career with the national team to concentrate fully on his performances with Union Bordeaux Bègles and preserve his physical health.
What is the main objective of this return with the XV of France?
The focus is not just the current tour, but the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Its president Laurent Marti convinced him to end his career with this major international event.
Who convinced Jefferson Poirot to come back?
It was Laurent Marti, the president of the UBB, who played a decisive role in telling him that he had to end his career with the World Cup in Australia, a sentence which revived his motivation.
When will Jefferson Poirot play his next match?
He will start this Saturday in Christchurch during the match between the French XV and the All Blacks, marking his big return to the international scene after three years of absence.
How does the FFR intend to use Poirot until 2027?
The FFR integrates Poirot into a generational transition strategy, combining his experience to mentor young talents while aiming for the 2027 World Cup as the ultimate goal.
What impact does this return have on the dynamics of the France group?
His return brings a major psychological dimension: it shows that loyalty to the jersey can transcend breaks, while strengthening the credibility of the collective project around 2027.
