The experiments are over. Less than two years from the 2023 World Cup in France, the coach of the Blues Fabien Galthié has already mentioned his desire to “tighten the group” on the occasion of this 2022 Six Nations Tournament. And the first composition of the XV of France in this competition, which will be unveiled this Friday at 11 a.m., should confirm this trend. A very large majority of players who beat the All Blacks (40-25) on November 20 should be renewed.
In particular, the Toulouse hinge Antoine Dupont–Romain Ntamack, covided in January but recovered, will lead the game of the Blues. The rear trident, with Melvyn Jaminet scorer and the Damian Penaud-Gabin Villière duo on the wings, also spent the XV de France internship in Aubagne with the holders’ chasubles. In the center also, the pair Gaël Fickou-Jonathan Danty holds the rope.
Vakatawa and Macalou back in the club
Virimi Vakatawa, the Racing 92 center who missed the November tour through injury, is still in poor shape and has been released to Ciel et Blanc, who play in the Top 14 on Saturday against Brive. “Virimi needs confidence. We worked well with him, he was very diligent, he will return to the highest level very quickly, I am sure of it, ”said Thibault Giroud, the performance director of the Blues, this Thursday.
The Parisian Sekou Macalou, too, has returned to the Stade Français, which plays in Lyon this weekend. In the pack, the Toulousain Julien Marchand, injured in November, will find his place as a hooker in place of his teammate Peato Mauvaka. The replacement of Bordelais Cameron Woki in the second line, tested against the Blacks, could also be renewed. “He is able to chain efforts, he has an interesting profile for this position”, confirms Thibault Giroud. The main change could be the tenure of Lyonnais Dylan Cretin in the third row.
After its stay in Provence, the France group will go green in Chantilly (Oise) before Sunday’s match.
The XV of France possible : Jaminet – Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Villière – (o) Ntamack, (m) Dupont (cap.) – Jelonch (or Woki), Alldritt, Cretin – Willemse, Woki (or Le Roux) – Atonio (or Bamba), Merchant, Baille.
