Mickaël Guillard, 25, has recently demonstrated his stamina by playing four matches of 80 minutes each for Lyon, a French rugby team, according to reports. Lyon's manager, Karim Ghezal, believes Guillard is now capable of performing at that level for the French national team. During the first four rounds of the Top 14, France's top-tier rugby competition, Guillard played 320 consecutive minutes on the field, according to L'Équipe, a French sports newspaper. He made 74 tackles, 23 of which were successful against Clermont, and also recovered five balls, made 15 passes, and ran 76 meters with the ball in hand, according to data from AIA Sports. Playing as number 5 in the French team requires more than just endurance. The position involves enduring closed scrums, mauls, clearances, and collisions, while also being ready to defend when spaces open up in the second half of matches. Guillard's performance does not decline as the game progresses, as he completed the match in Paris during the fourth round without needing to go to the bench, showing his ability to maintain high levels of activity. Ghezal has noted areas where Guillard still needs to improve, particularly in the scrum and in defending mauls when playing as number 5. Guillard's physical profile—standing 1.97 meters tall and weighing 113 kg—differs from that of Emmanuel Meafou, a player known for having more raw mass. Guillard compensates with his mobility and ability to perform repeated tasks. Fabien Galthié, the French team coach, is familiar with Guillard in the number 5 position, as Guillard has already played 19 international matches and notably started as number 5 against Wales, Ireland, and Scotland during the 2026 Six Nations tournament. Guillard's versatility allows him to play in different roles, including as a third row, which has previously prevented him from being assigned to a single position. However, this autumn presents a unique opportunity, as Meafou is unavailable for the November international matches, leaving a key role vacant in the front five. Galthié has already considered Guillard as a potential solution, alongside other players like Tom Staniforth and possibly Thibaud Flament. After serving as a versatile player in the French pack, Guillard now has a real chance to settle into a consistent role. The first four rounds of the Top 14 have clearly shown Guillard's physical capabilities—he can play 80 minutes at high intensity. However, it is still uncertain whether Galthié will ask him to do the same in upcoming matches against strong teams like Fiji, South Africa, or Argentina in November. The decision on how to manage the bench will depend on the opponent and the specific roles required. With 74 tackles in four matches and already 19 international selections, Guillard is arriving at the perfect time to prove he can be more than just a backup option.