Gaël Fickou Returns to Toulon with Eyes on French National Team Comeback

Gaël Fickou has made a significant return to his formative club Toulon after spending five and a half seasons at Racing 92, aiming to revive his rugby career and earn a recall to the French national team ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. The 32-year-old center, who captained Racing 92, has not been selected for France since November 2025 and was overlooked for both the Six Nations and the summer tours by coach Fabien Galthié.

In an interview on RMC's "L'Intégrale Sport," Fickou expressed his determination to embrace the pressure and challenge at Toulon, stating that the need to perform under such expectations motivates him to improve. He contrasted his previous comfort in Paris with the demanding environment he now faces, emphasizing that this will help elevate his game. Fickou acknowledged feeling the pressure of national team competition, something he hasn’t experienced in over a decade, but remains focused on winning with Toulon and reclaiming his spot on the French side.

Toulon's new season kicks off on September 5 at Jean-Dauger, marking the start of Fickou's renewed challenge. His ambition is clear: to harness this return to boost his form and secure a place in the team representing France at the 2027 World Cup.