The usual frames, plus a few surprises due to numerous injuries. Montpellier third line Yacouba Camara and Stade Français center Julien Delbouis are among the 42 players called up by coach Fabien Galthié to prepare for the first match of the Six Nations Tournament on February 5 against Italy, according to the list released. this Tuesday.
The winger of Toulon Gabin Villière, usual holder in Blue but injured in an ankle then in a hand, was not summoned, just like the scrum-half of the UBB Maxime Lucu, usual lining of Antoine Dupond in the XV of France, and the second or third line of Racing 92 Cameron Woki, a part of Fabien Galthié, also injured.
In total, eight players without selection were called up for the preparation camp in Capbreton in the Landes. In addition to Delbouis, who is having a very good season with Stade Français, La Rochelle third line Paul Boudehent, Bordeaux-Bègles winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Montpellier scrum-half Léo Coly, Bordeaux- Bègles Romain Buros, Lyon winger Ethan Dumortier, Pau center Emilien Gailleton and Racing 92 scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec have been called up.
They come in particular to compensate for the absences of Virimi Vakatawa, who had to put an end to his career, of Teddy Thomas, out of shape, and the injuries of Arthur Vincent, Jonathan Danty, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Baptiste Couilloud, Pierre Bourgarit and Peato Mauvaka…
Most Experienced Fickou
At 27, Camara is a big surprise since he had not played for the France team since 2019. For the rest, Galthié decided to rely on his usual executives, including captain and scrum half Antoine Dupont . The best player in the world 2021 leads a troop of eleven Toulouse, the largest contingent of the selection.
He is also a member of this group, with Racingman Gaël Fickou, the most experienced player of the lot with 74 caps, his club partners, opener Romain Ntamack, hooker Julien Marchand, third row Anthony Jelonch, prop Cyril Yawns or the ghost François Cros, long touched in one knee.
After their trip to Italy, Antoine Dupont’s teammates will travel to Ireland (February 11), host Scotland (February 26), go to England (March 11) and host Wales (March 18).