The Japan Times - New-look Racing keep Fickou's focus from France captaincy

Historically big-spending Racing have replaced 34-year-old former England captain Owen Farrell with 24-year-old fly-half Ugo Seunes. Meanwhile, 20-year-old scrum-half Leo Carbonneau also came in during the close season.

Seunes and Carbonneau are the poster boys for Racing's change in recruitment strategy as they move away from big-names signings, such as two-time Rugby World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi of South Africa, who left in 2024 after just one season, and Farrell.

Racing have started the season impressively, recording two wins from their three Top 14 games, and host struggling Clermont on Saturday.

"They bring energy, it's so important," Fickou told reporters on Wednesday about Carbonneau and Seunes.

"Obviously they have less experience than guys like Owen (Farrell) or Siya (Kolisi) did have in the past.

"They bring their talent and for now it's going well, so it's positive," the 31-year-old added.

Former Brive half-back Carbonneau is the son of ex-France half-back Philippe Carbonneau.

Racing paid a reported 230,000 euros ($270,000) to release Seunes from his contract at second-tier Aurillac.

"Sometimes they can be a bit crazy. But you have to be at this level of rugby," Fickou said.

"It's about trying things that no-one else would try.

"Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. I support them, accompany them.

"They're really professional, they don't need me to explain to them what they should do," he added.

- 'Not at all costs' -

Fickou has played 96 France matches and in July captained the side that lost to New Zealand.

Regular skipper Antoine Dupont missed the summer series with a knee injury and is sidelined for November Tests against South Africa, Fiji and Australia.

"If I get called and I'm offered the captaincy, then I'd be thrilled to accept but my goal is to be there first up, then to win games," Fickou said.

"It's not a role I want at all costs.

"I was chosen to do it and I can help with my experience, I can bring added value but it's not the be-all and end-all for me," he added.

Another headache for France head coach Fabien Galthie for the three games later this year will be the question of who partners Fickou in midfield.

Bordeaux-Begles' Yoram Moefana would have been the front-runner but suffered a shoulder injury earlier this month.

Moefana's club team-mate Nicolas Depoortere, Pau's Emilien Gailleton and Toulouse's Pierre-Louis Barassi are the contenders.

The highlight of the series will be the November 8 game against the Springboks, a re-run of the 2023 World Cup quarter-final won by Kolisi's men.

"When there are big games, they always manage to surpass themselves," Fickou said.

"So in November it's going to be a huge game, which we have to be ready for" he added.

Elsewhere in the Top 14 this weekend, Lyon, the only team with three wins, head to Pau.

La Rochelle will be without Wallabies lock Will Skelton as they host Perpignan. He returns to Australia in time for the Test with New Zealand on October 5.

Toulouse welcome local rivals Castres, a week after losing 44-14 at Montpellier for their heaviest defeat in four years.

Fixtures (times GMT)

Saturday

Stade Francais v Bordeaux-Begles (1230), Racing 92 v Clermont, Pau v Lyon, La Rochelle v Perpignan, Montauban v Montpellier (all 1435), Toulouse v Castres (1900)

Sunday

Bayonne v Toulon (1905)

S.Suzuki--JT