For the last preparation match before the start of the World Cup, Fabien Galthié has decided to field a team very close to his starting XV. Antoine Dupont, the captain, will be associated with Matthieu Jalibert.
For his first starting XV since the announcement of the list of 33Fabien Galthié has decided to field an ultra-competitive team to challenge the Wallabies on Sunday at the Stade de France (5:45 p.m.). Apart from the left of the scrum with the tenure of Jean-Baptiste Gros in place of Reda Wardi, preserved, the Blues will challenge the team of Eddie Jones with a team very close to that which should start against the All Blacks on September 8 for the opening match.
Thus, Julien Marchand and Uini Atonio will accompany Gros on the front line. The Toulousain Thibaud Flament will be associated with Paul Willemse, while in the third line, François Cros, who wants to find rhythm, Charles Ollivon and Grégory Alldritt will start from the start. Note that the captain of La Rochelle will chain a third consecutive tenure, just like his club friend Jonathan Danty.
Sébastien Taofifenua, the only player off the list of 33
At the hinge, the Dupont – Jalibert association which was not in doubt, has been confirmed by the coach of the France team. An important meeting for both in order to find benchmarks, from the injury and the package of Romain Ntamack. Their last tenure together dates back to November 14, 2021 and a victory against Georgia. At the time, Galthié had tried the option of having Jalibert and Ntamack play together. Coming back to Sunday, Gabin Villière and Damian Penaud will animate the wings of the back line. Danty and Gaël Fickou will occupy the center of the field, and Thomas Ramos, whose versatility at the opening moderated the discussionswill keep his favorite position with the number 15 in the back.
On the bench, that’s where it moves. Peato Mauvaka will have the 16th, and Dorian Aldegheri will take over from Uini Atonio. As we announced to you on Monday in Noon OlympicSébastien Taofifenua will be present on the bench, in place of Reda Wardi, the holder in the absence of Cyril Baille. The left pillar of Lou should know his third cape in the jersey of the XV of France and remains the only player who is not part of the list of 33 players of Fabien Galthié.
Bielle-Biarrey absent, a bench at 6-2
Still on the bench, Fabien Galthié chose the “6-2” option, which he uses very often in big games. Thus, Cameron Woki and Romain Taofifenua will cover the second line positions, while Paul Boudehent will offer the staff his versatility (he was tested in the center this week). The great “Tao” makes his return to the group. Hit in the hamstring during the first week at Marcoussis, the powerful second line will make his first outing in Blue since the start of preparation. This bench with six forwards and two three-quarters costs the place in the 23 to Louis Bielle-Biarrey. The Bordelais, who had participated in the first three games, will not experience a first selection at the Stade de France. Baptiste Couilloud will cover the scrum half position and Melvyn Jaminet will provide a solution at the back and to stop.
The composition :
15. Ramos; 14. Penaud, 13. Fickou, 12. Danty, 11. Villière; 10. Jalibert, 9. Dupont (cap); 7. Ollivon, 8. Alldritt, 6. Cros; 5. Willemse, 4. Flamen; 3. Atonio, 2. Merchant, 1. Wholesale.
Substitutes : 16. Mauvaka, 17. S. Taofifenua, 18. Aldegheri, 19. Woki, 20. Taofifenua, 21. Boudehent, 22. Couilloud, 23. Jaminet