”It’s time to stop”. It is with these words that François Trinh-Duc confirmed this Wednesday, December 15 in the columns of the Team, that he would retire from sport at the end of the season.. A busy career for the one who has worn the tunic of the XV of France 66 times, and those of Montpellier, Toulon, Racing and recently the UBB where he offered himself a last challenge. A player sometimes singled out for his mistakes, but also capable of flashes of which he has the secret. Back on the main lines of his career, between Grand Slam 2010 or individual exploits on the meadows.
François Trinh-Duc’s quest for identity, from Montpellier to Vietnam
First selection in 2008
It is February 3, 2008. After a World Cup finished in a frustrating fourth place, Marc Lièvremont replaces Bernard Laporte as coach. As always during a post-World Cup period, many players have retired internationally, and therefore a new group is to be built. Lièvremont then selects a talented young opener, François Trinh-Duc, who shines brightly with his club Montpellier. Barely 21 years old, Trinh-Duc therefore started with number 10 behind his back to Murrayfield on the first day of the 2008 6 Nations Tournament. For a 27-6 victory for Thierry Dusautoir’s teammates on Scottish soil. A memorable baptism of fire.
His try during the victory in New Zealand
On June 13, 2009, France moved to Dunedin two years after their victory in the quarter-finals of the World Cup against these same All Blacks. The band in Lièvremont will deliver a heroic performance and at the end of the 80 minutes, will win on New Zealand soil (22-27). Established at the opening, François Trinh-Duc will be credited with a solid performance, rewarded with a test. As we play the 17th minute, the opening half seizes the swelling after a low start from Louis Picamoles. He comes up to his number eight, sits perfectly in the meantime, breaks four tackles before plunging into the Promised Land. A moment inevitably etched forever in the memory of the young Montpellier, then aged barely 22 brooms.
The Grand Slam of 2010
In 2010, the XV of France advanced as one of the favorites to final victory in the 6 Nations Tournament. They will beat their five opponents including England on the last day after a hanging encounter (12-10). Trinh-Duc will win the first title of his professional career, with the France team moreover. He will participate in the 5 matches and will notably be elected Talent d’Or during the success against Ireland. An impeccable score as a good conductor that he is, hailed by the coach of the time, Marc Lièvremont.
His number against Sale in 2012
In 2012, Montpellier receives Sale in the European Cup. After a complicated first half, François Trinh-Duc recovered during the second part of the game. Under the rain which falls on Montpellier, it will illuminate the meeting of an action of which it has the secret. As he inherits the leather over his 40 yards, ‘FTD’ plays a little kick over inspired for himself which he recovers. Then, he slalom in the defense of the Sharks before finding a superb cross pass Julien Thomas who will dive between the poles. A masterpiece that is not necessarily rare. We remember in particular this superb return to 22 meters for Nagusa, concluded with a test 100 meters further or this bright foot pass for Gabriel Lacroix in 2017 against Japan.
His “ masterclass ” facing Clermont
Top 14. Relive the masterclass of François Trinh-Duc against Clermont
Child of the Montpellier club, François Trinh-Duc left Hérault in 2016 to join the harbor and Toulon. After a freelance in Racing, he launched a final challenge, signing at Union Bordeaux-Bègles as an understudy for one of the child prodigies of French rugby, Matthieu Jalibert. And while many consider him finished, Trinh-Duc will once again prove, at 35, that he still has beautiful remains. On October 30, the Girondins received Clermont. Absent from training throughout the week, to attend the birth of his child, Trinh-Duc will start on the bench. He will return at the break, after Seuteni struggled as the opener. And his first steps will change the face of the game. He will first register a drop, allowing his team to return to the front. Without forgetting his flawless face against the poles, at the four corners of the field. The UBB then takes off. He will be decisive on the second Girondin test, attacking the line perfectly and providing space for his teammates. Remarkable conduct of the game. He could have sent a victorious pass to Romain Buros without a saving return from Morgan Parra. In short, a materclass.
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