Two weeks after Romain Ntamack’s serious knee injury against Scotland, rugby fans are keeping their fingers crossed that there are no more last-minute major Rugby World Cup withdrawals 2023. Twelve days before the big inaugural meeting against New Zealand, the XV of France will present themselves on Sunday (5:45 p.m.) in Saint-Denis against Australia. For this final preparation match, Fabien Galthié, who has just announced his holders this Thursday, opted for a hinge formed by Antoine Dupont at the scrum and Matthieu Jalibert at the opening.
The Blues, who will therefore challenge the All Blacks on September 8 in the opening match of their World Cup (from September 8 to October 28), find their almost standard team, after having faced Scotland twice then Fiji (2 wins and 1 loss). Matthieu Jalibert replaces the usual holder Romain Ntamack, package for the entire competition. The rear triangle is made up of Thomas Ramos at the back, and Gabin Villière and Damian Penaud on the wings, with the doublet Gaël Fickou-Jonathan Danty in the center.
Big substitute Baille at the post of left pillar
Holder against Fiji (34-17), Jonathan Danty will therefore chain a second game in a row, like his club partner, the third line Grégory Alldritt. The Rochelais will be accompanied by François Cros and Charles Ollivon. This will be the ninth joint tenure of this trio. In the front five, Paul Willemse and Thibaud Flament will once again be associated.
Finally, on the front line, the left pillar Jean-Baptiste Gros will start in place of Cyril Baille, absent for the start of the competition and expected for the third match against Namibia. He will be accompanied by hooker Julien Marchand and Rochelais Uini Atonio. The bench is articulated around six forwards and two backs, with scrum-half Baptiste Couilloud and full-back Melvyn Jaminet. In addition to New Zealand, the XV of France will face Uruguay (September 14), Namibia (September 21), and Italy (October 6) in the group stage of the World Cup.