Engineer, small build... 5 things to know about Gabrielle Vernier, queen of the tackle for the French XV
PORTRAIT - The French XV's three-quarter center is, at 28, one of the squad's key players. Her experience will be crucial for the French team during the Rugby World Cup, which begins this Saturday.
On the pitch, Gabrielle Vernier is an important player. Through her experience and her qualities, of course. She is also important off the pitch, where her infectious joie de vivre is good for the French squad. Never without a smile, the Suresnes native also appreciates humor. " I'm the type to make jokes, to not get worked up . I have to joke around, it's my way of releasing the pressure ," the Blagnac player confided to L'Équipe . Her coach David Ortiz agreed: " She's mature and has a huge impact on team life, she generates a lot of happiness within the team ."
Small size but outstanding tackler" She's a pin, " laughed former coach Annick Hayraud about the center three-quarter. At 1.65m and 64kg, the 28-year-old is a lightweight. On the field, however, Vernier proves to be a very good tackler. " When you see such a small body, you wonder how it can hurt so much. Her tackling technique is perfect. She plants her shoulder in your sternum and it hurts a lot! " analyzed her former teammate Laure Di Muzio . Moreover, during the 2023 Six Nations Tournament, the Suresnoise finished 3rd among the best French tacklers (55 tackles), just behind the third row Charlotte Escudero and the hooker Agathe Sochat.
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Skip the adPassionate about tennis, the center three-quarter then followed her brothers to rugby, at the Rueil Athletic Club. " I was a bit of a fighter with my brothers, so I loved the contact. And I finally discovered a team sport ," she said in an interview with the FFR . It was also a way to rub shoulders with stronger players and understand why the Blagnac player isn't afraid of getting into contact.
Engineer in lifeAlongside rugby, Gabrielle Vernier pursued a career as an engineer in aeronautical design offices. At 18, she chose to pursue her engineering studies and continue playing rugby at the Lille Métropole rugby club in Villeneuvois, now called Stade Villeneuvois Lille Métropole.
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Among the best in the world in her positionAt center, the 46-cap player has a solid reputation. In 2023, she was first nominated for the title of best player of the year. The Blagnac native won the title of best player of the tournament and was selected in the best women's XV in the world. Before being voted best French player at the Nuit du rugby. No less.
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