France lock Thibaud Flament faces Argentina on Friday holding a special relationship on and off the field with the south American country.
As a 20-year-old Flament spent a year of his studies at English university Loughborough working at the French embassy in Buenos Aires and playing for top-tier side, Club Newman.
Since those days he has gone on to feature for Wasps in England, French giants Toulouse and is in line for his 30th Les Bleus’ appearance this week, aged 27.
“I decided to spend the year in Argentina because I wanted to taste a different type of rugby, discover another country and travel,” Flament told AFP on Wednesday.
“It was an important step in my construction as a player and a person.
“To be free for a year and try and build my dream there, was fabulous,” the 2.03m tall second row added.
When Flament, who grew up in Belgium, arrived in the Argentine capital his work experience at the embassy was yet to be finalised and had nowhere to sleep but he did have a contact with Club Newman.
Flament had spoken to ex-Pumas and Newman hooker Marco Ayerza, who was playing for Leicester in England at the time.
“I was picked up at the airport by the team manager,” Flament said.
“It was six in the morning, he took me straight to the clubhouse, it was gameday.
“I met the other guys in the team, and the adventure started like that,” he added.
Flament started out with the fifth team at Club Newman before ending the season with the firsts and reached the final of the national championship.
He jumped straight into the country’s rugby culture, enjoying the traditional post-match and after training barbecues, asados.
“There was a clubhouse with everyone sat down to eat,” Flament said.
“Then it was the evening, it was really nice. They are good memories,” he added.
Spanish skills
Since his try-scoring international debut in 2021, against of all teams Argentina, Flament has become a mainstay in Fabien Galthie’s side.
He started four games during last year’s home Rugby World Cup, including the quarter-final loss to South Africa.
“I’m now above the average age and caps in the squad so I’m well aware that things have changed ” Flament said.
“I’m still enjoying things,” he added.
Les Bleus have started their November campaign impressively, hammering Japan before last Saturday’s nerve-wrecking one-point win over New Zealand.
Argentina come to Paris in the final game of their series having lost to Ireland a week ago following an impressive year.
The Pumas’ season has included wins over the All Blacks, France during the summer’s scandal-hit tour and World Cup holders South Africa.
“The Argentines are very hot-blooded,” Flament said.
“They’ve been a confident team for a few months.
“I think it’s going to be a tight game, which will not be too different to last week.”
At the Stade de France, Flament will come up against fellow former Club Newman member in Pumas head coach Felipe Contepomi as well as Toulouse team-mate in opposition full-back Juan Cruz Mallia.
“I try to speak Spanish with him at the club to not forget it,” Flament said.
“I have enough in my locker to try and pull his leg during the game.”
