Objective, to win the series. After an inaugural defeat in the last minutes (23-21), then the first success of the Blues in Australia since 1990 Tuesday (28-26), this very overhauled France group could end their summer tour in style. Forced to deal with the injured and the players selected by their clubs for the final phase of the Top 14, Fabien Galthié had to take a relatively inexperienced group, counting almost half of players without international selection. No doubt he must be satisfied with what he has seen so far.
While continuing his squad review, with seven changes compared to the last match (Barassi, Thomas, Hastoy, Cretin, Taofifenua, Falatea and Forletta), the coach relies on a new hard six players who will chain a third match in ten days: Barlot, Jelonch, Couilloud, Vincent, Penaud and Jaminet. We will therefore not have seen Buros or Raka, remained in the stands during the three matches like seven other players.
Galthié, who specifies having made certain choices according to the injuries, however offers a first selection to the opener of Pau, Antoine Hastoy, who replaces Louis Carbonel. The latter, holder so far, does not appear in the 23 selected for this third and final test. Teddy Thomas, arranged for the start of the rally, is back in the holders.
With a second consecutive success in Australia, Galthié would obtain a first real success since taking office in 2019. If the style of play developed has seduced the public, he remains in second place in the last two editions of the Six Nations Tournament and a loss in the final of the Autumn Nations Cup against England last year.
The composition of the XV of France:
Jaminet – Penaud, Barassi, Vincent, Thomas – (o) Hastoy, (m) Couilloud – Woki, Jelonch (cap.), Cretin – Taofifenua, Cazeaux – Falatea, Barlot, Forletta.