Fabien Galthié will unveil this Wednesday, January 16, the first post-World Cup list for the French XV.
We left the Blues a few months ago with a defeat in the quarter-final of the Rugby World Cup against South Africa. Three months later, the French XV is back for the 2024 6 Nations tournament. For their return to competition, the Blues will face Ireland on February 2 at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille. A shock that will happen without Anthony Dupont since the captain of the French
Cascading packages
During the last day of the European Rugby Cup, Pierre Bourgarit injured his shoulder again, he who was making his return to the field this weekend. Dorian Aldegheri is very uncertain. The prop gave up his place at half-time during the match against Ulster and suffered a kneecap injury. Released with concussion, Jonathan Danty must pass his HIA 3 exam to validate or not his presence in the group. On the other hand, Thibaud Flament, hit in the foot, is out, as are Jean Baptiste Gros, Sipili Falatea, Baptiste Serin, Dylan Cutin and Romain Ntamack, on the way back.
What new guys?
The first is hardly in doubt. Emmanuel Meafou, second row of Toulouse, will be present in the group of Fabien Galthié, he who was unable to participate in the World Cup due to administrative problems, him being Australian by birth. Posolo Tuilagi should also appear in Fabien Galthié’s group. The Catalan, only 19 years old, Samoan by birth, is eligible according to the vice president of the FFR despite the absence of a passport. With Flament’s package, several names are circulating such as Gabrillagues, Lavault. At the back, Léo Barré, revelation from Stade Français is applying for a place with the Blues just like Romain Buros, full back from Bordeaux, both could take the place of a Melvyn Jaminet who is more truly at club level. The UBB could also see Nicolas Depoortere be called in to complete this famous “Patrouille de France” which has been talked about for several weeks in the southwest. Matthis Lebel, in very good shape with Stade Toulouse, is also applying for the wing in place of Gabin Villière.
The likely group
Pillars
Baille, Wardi, S. Taofifenua or Priso; Aldegheri, Atonio, Laclayat.
Hookers
Marchand, Mauvaka, Barlot or Baubigny.
Second line
Meafou, R. Taofifenua, Woki, Gabrillagues or Lavault.
Third line
Alldritt, Cros, Jelonch, Ollivon, Macalou, Boudehent or Tanga.
Scrumhalves
Couilloud, Le Garrec, Lucu.
Flying halves
Hastoy, Jalibert.
Centers
Danty, Fickou, Moefana, Gailleton or Depoortere.
Wingers
Bielle-Biarrey, Penaud, Villière or Lebel.
Rears
Jaminet, Ramos, Buros or Barré.