XV of France: Grégory Alldritt captain, Halagahu, Abadie and Gibert called up: the list of 34 to prepare for the Tournament

The Toulonnais Matthias Halagahu (second row, 22 years old) and Esteban Abadie (third row, 26 years old) appear there, as does the Toulouse colossus Emmanuel Meafou (25 years old, who grew up in Australia), already in contact with the group as training partner last year, and whose selection was only a question of eligibility. Finally available for the Blues, after a year-long series, he should be one of the players to follow during the Tournament.

The hinge of Racing 92, made up of Nolann Le Garrec (21 years old, also in the files of the long-standing staff) and Antoine Gibert (26 years old) is also called up. For Gibert, it is a relative surprise, reported in the press in recent hours, which has as a notable corollary the absence of Antoine Hastoy, who was selected for the 2023 World Cup. Nicolas Depoortère (21 years old) is the sixth candidate for a first cape, in this list. The young center of UBB (U20 world champion) seemed destined for such an opportunity.

To overcome all this, the relay for Galthié and his deputies on the ground will be Grégory Alldritt, appointed captain for the entire competition in the absence of Antoine Dupont, focused on preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in rugby sevens. Charles Ollivon took over during the World Cup. The latter is selected, but therefore relieved of the responsibility of wearing the armband.

• The list of 34 to prepare for the Tournament

Pillars (6) : Dorian Aldegheri (Toulouse, 30 years old, 16 selections), Uini Atonio (La Rochelle, 33 years old, 57 selections), Cyril Baille (Toulouse, 30 years old, 47 selections), Thomas Laclayat (Racing 92, 26 years old, 1 sel.), Sébastien Taofifenua (Lyon, 31 years old, 3 sel.), Reda Wardi (La Rochelle, 28 years old, 12 sel.)

Hookers (3) : Gaëtan Barlot (Castres, 26 years old, 7 sel.), Julien Marchand (Toulouse, 28 years old, 32 sel.), Peato Mauvaka (Toulouse, 27 years old, 29 sel.)

Second lines (5) : Paul Gabrillagues (Stade français, 30 years old, 16 sel.), Matthias Halagahu (Toulon, 22 years old, 0 sel.), Emmanuel Meafou (Toulouse, 25 years old, 0 sel.), Romain Taofifenua (Lyon, 33 years old, 49 sel.), Cameron Woki (Racing 92, 25 years old, 27 sel.)

Third lines (6) : Esteban Abadie (Toulon, 26 years old, 0 sel.), Grégory Alldritt (La Rochelle, 26 years old, 45 sel., captain), Paul Boudehent (La Rochelle, 24 years old, 6 sel.), François Cros (Toulouse, 29 years, 27 sel.), Anthony Jelonch (Toulouse, 27 years, 29 sel.), Charles Ollivon (Toulon, 30 years, 39 sel.)

Scrum halves (2) : Nolann Le Garrec (Racing 92, 21 years old, 0 sel.), Maxime Lucu (Bordeaux-Bègles, 31 years old, 18 sel.)

Flying halves (2) : Antoine Gibert (Racing 92, 26 years old, 0 sel.), Matthieu Jalibert (Bordeaux-Bègles, 25 years old, 30 sel.)

Wingers (3) : Louis Bielle-Biarrey (Bordeaux-Bègles, 20 years old, 7 sel.), Matthis Lebel (Toulouse, 24 years old, 5 sel.), Damian Penaud (Bordeaux-Bègles, 27 years old, 48 sel.)

Centers (5) : Jonathan Danty (La Rochelle, 31 years old, 26 sel.), Nicolas Depoortère (Bordeaux-Bègles, 21 years old, 0 sel.), Gaël Fickou (Racing 92, 29 years old, 85 sel.), Emilien Gailleton (Pau, 20 years, 1 sel.), Yoram Moefana (Bordeaux-Bègles, 23 years, 23 sel.)

Backs (2) : Melvyn Jaminet (Toulon, 24 years old, 19 caps), Thomas Ramos (Toulouse, 28 years old, 31 caps)