In 1911, France won its first ever official international match, beating Scotland 16–15 at home, but in the following game, away against England, the French were heavily beaten.

An architect by profession, he became a lieutenant in the French infantry, and died on the front in the First World War after a reconnaissance mission in Bois le Prêtre in Belleville-sur-Meuse.

[6] Ahead of the game, Reichel in Le Figaro gave France the odds of winning, since it had a heavier pack and better halfbacks, and also commented positively on Duval, Bonhomme and Guillemin.

The cohesion of the Rest's threequarter line, all coming from Stade Français, was especially apparent, while the forwards, although weaker in the scrum, and lighter, played with more "valour".

As a result, many changes were made for the team to play England on 1 January 1908: the captain, Marc Giacardy, was dropped altogether, and Guillemin was one of several who won selection.

Although France lost the game 0–19, the press did not consider it a crushing defeat,[d] given that on the previous occasions England had scored 35 points and then 41.

[18] On New Year's Day 1910, Wales hosted the French team, several of whose players were unable to attend due to the annual celebrations.

[23] The French press was delighted not to have witnessed another crushing defeat, comparing the result with England's recent score of 11–6 against Wales.

G. Neumeyer writing in la Culture physique, considered that the selectors had made the right choice of XV, with the exception of Guillemin.

In his opinion, it was deplorable that he should be selected, noting his "remarkable brutality", proof of which he demonstrated in the trials match, and that he ought to be thrown out of the national team for all time.

[26][f] Reichel in Le Figaro agreed that Guillemin's play was more violent than effective and would have preferred the selection of Berneron, who did "great work" for the Possibles.

It proved a reversal of the defeats, accompanied with humiliating press commentary which suggested that the French were too idle and debauched to produce a team worthy of their British opponents.

[28][29] After unexpectedly winning the match against Scotland, France played England at Twickenham on 28 January and suffered "the most humiliating of defeats".

[34] Nevertheless, for the final international match of the season against Ireland, Guillemin was dropped from the team, with approval from Reichel,[35] although he nevertheless travelled to Cork as a replacement.

[36] Guillemin was selected for an international match between the best of London and the best of Paris, played at Stade de France on 12 March.