There is not a sector where he is failing: what if Maxime Lucu was today the best French number 9?

In the shadow of Antoine Dupont for years, Maxime Lucu may have never been as strong. Head of UBB, discreet but overall leader, the Bordeaux half-back asserts himself today as a reference… to the point of reigniting the debate?

And what if, for once, the question really deserved to be asked? For several months now, Maxime Lucu has been delivering outstanding performances with Union Bordeaux-Bègles. Less spectacular than others, less exposed too, the 33-year-old Bordeaux half-back nevertheless emerges as one of the most complete and influential players in the Top 14. In Gironde, his importance surpasses his position. “It’s as if you had another coach on the field,” summarizes his manager Yannick Bru. “He brings energy, always makes the right decisions. His kicking game is exceptional.”

Lucu is above all a conductor. A player capable of setting the tempo, occupying the field with precision, and carrying out the dirty work with impressive consistency. Bru speaks of a typical match with “20 tackles, 12 kilometers covered, and 18 kicks.” Almost absurd standards for a number 9. This volume of play, rare in this position, also impresses his teammates. “When you have him with you on the field, it’s pure joy,” confides the 2nd row Cyril Cazeaux.

A total leader, now an emblem of Bordeaux

Lucu’s trajectory further reinforces this impression of mastery. Far from the conventional circuits, he patiently built his career in Pro D2 before exploding on the scene at the age of 26 in Gironde. “He has had an atypical career,” analyzes the former French and Biarritz number 9, now a consultant for France Télévisions, Dimitri Yachvili. “He has become the game leader, captain, kicker… Today, he is even an emblem of the city.” On the field, his profile is almost unique. “There is no area where he is lacking. And he makes between 13 and 18 tackles per match on average, with peaks of 20. For a half-back, that’s colossal! When you put your head down, go to win balls when you weigh 85kg, people follow you. When you see him fight like that, you want to go to the ends of the earth for him,” Yachvili sums up again.

One difficult reality is hard to ignore: it’s difficult to stand out on the international stage when you play alongside Antoine Dupont. “It’s difficult to be a French number 9 today, because we live in his shadow,” admits Yannick Bru. Dupont has been considered the best player in the world for several seasons. A status that no one contests. But the debate still arises, driven by the current dynamics. “Maybe at this moment, it’s similar,” says Cazeaux. Yachvili, however, calls for nuance. Comparing the two men is almost an impossible task. Not the same profile, not the same role, not the same environment. “Antoine has extraordinary qualities, almost impossible to replicate,” he explains.

“Maxime Lucu is the undisputed number 2 but Antoine Dupont remains a phenomenon”

“Antoine Dupont has qualities that Maxime Lucu doesn’t have. Maxime Lucu has qualities and abilities, especially with UBB, that Antoine Dupont may not necessarily have. It’s not unfair to make Antoine Dupont the starter for the French team. I think it would almost be an insult to Antoine Dupont.” Moreover, the hierarchy remains clear in absolute terms. “Dupont remains the exceptional player we know,” continues the French XV commentator. “I don’t like to compare too much. Behind Zidane, there were also very good players. Was it unfair if Zidane was a starter even when he wasn’t at his best? I don’t think so, because these are players who are extraordinary but also capable of making a difference at unexpected moments. It’s not disrespectful to say that Lucu is Dupont’s substitute.”

In the current form, the question is not absurd. With his influence, consistency, and volume of play, the Bordelais has probably never reached such a level. “Maxime Lucu is the undisputed number 2 but Antoine Dupont remains a phenomenon and will continue to be,” concludes Dream Team RMC member Denis Charvet. True to himself, Maxime Lucu continues to move forward quietly and is certainly, today, at the peak of his art.