No Charles Ollivon, usual flanker, in the second row on Saturday against Wales, as seen during training for the XV of France at the start of the week. To replace Paul Willemse, injured in the hamstrings during the triumph at Twickenham (10-53), Fabien Galthié chose his natural replacement, Romain Taofifenua.
Before this last day of the Six Nations Tournament, the Lyonnais has not started a match in Blue since the victory against Japan (35-17) in November. The Montpellier Bastien Chalureau joins the bench of “finishers”.
The other change from the demonstration across the Channel was expected, at the post of right pillar. Suspended against Scotland (32-21) and in England after his high tackle during the defeat in Ireland (32-19), the Rochelais Uini Atonio regains his number 3 at the expense of the Toulousain Dorian Aldegheri, sent back to his club on Wednesday with 13 other players. Sipili Falatea retains his status as a substitute.
A very unlikely victory in the Tournament
For the rest, it is the usual armada which will be responsible for bringing the Welsh, very weak these days, to their senses, to dream of a second success in a row in the Tournament. This will require winning with the offensive bonus, while waiting for a very improbable English miracle in Dublin.
The Blues play their match at the Stade de France at 3:45 p.m., before the meeting which should allow Ireland to win the Grand Slam, the kick-off of which is set for 6 p.m.