France Gearing Up for the 2025 Six Nations
excitement is building for the 2025 Six Nations Tournament, with France set to kick off their campaign against Wales at the Stade de France on Friday, January 31st at 9:15 PM.
Head Coach Fabien Galthié will announce his expanded 42-man squad on Wednesday, January 15th, marking an increase from the 34 players selected last year. The team will assemble at the CNR in Marcoussis on January 19th, commencing their preparations for the tournament.
The initial training week will see 23 players remain in camp until Sunday, while the remaining 19 will be released to participate in Top 14 matches with their respective clubs. For the remainder of the competition, a core group of 28 players will be retained in Marcoussis each weekend, with the others returning to their clubs. During weeks when France doesn’t have a fixture, nine of the 28 selected players will be permitted to rejoin their clubs the day after the Blues’ last match.
Mark Your Calendars: France’s 2025 Six Nations Schedule
Friday, January 31st (9:15 PM): France vs. Wales
Saturday, February 8th (5:45 PM): England vs. France
Sunday, February 23rd (4:00 PM): italy vs.France
Saturday, March 8th (3:15 PM): Ireland vs. France
* Saturday, March 15th (9:00 PM): France vs. Scotland
Cracking teh Code: A Chat wiht Former French International Djamel Djabali About France’s 2025 Six Nations Campaign
The 2025 Six Nations is just around the corner, and excitement is reaching fever pitch. France, after narrowly missing out on the Grand Slam last year, is looking to reclaim their throne as champions of Europe. To delve into their chances, we sat down with former French international and Top 14 legend, Djamel djabali, for his expert analysis.
“I think the expanded squad is a smart move by Galthié,” Djabali begins.“They’ve been building something special for a few years now, and having a deeper pool of talent, especially with the demands of club and international rugby, will be crucial.”
The 42-man training squad,a jump from last year’s 34,allows Galthié greater versatility and the chance to experiment with different combinations. Djabali agrees, stating, “It’s about finding the right balance, the right mix of youth and experience. There are some exciting young talents emerging in France right now, and this tournament could be their chance to shine.”
The opening match against Wales at the Stade de France on January 31st looms large. We ask Djabali about the Welsh threat: “Wales is always a tough opponent, especially in Paris. They’ll be looking to disrupt France’s rhythm and capitalize on any mistakes. France need to be aggressive from the outset, dominate the breakdown, and put Wales under pressure early on.”
Looking ahead at the tournament’s schedule, djabali pinpoints key encounters: “The clash with England at Twickenham will be a defining moment. England will be a wounded beast after recent disappointments, and they’ll be looking to prove a point. Ireland away will be another massive challenge – they’re reigning champions and are playing some brilliant rugby.”
We then delve a little deeper, probing Djabali about France’s playing style: “Galthié has instilled a real attacking mindset in this team,” Djabali explains. “They’re playing with a lot of flair, pace, and ambition. But they also know when to keep it tight and grind out a result. It’s a good balance.”
But with this attacking freedom, there’s always the potential for defensive lapses. Do the French need to be more pragmatic?
“I don’t think so,” Djabali counters. “Their defense has improved substantially over the past year or so. It’s about discipline, composure, and making those critical tackles. If they can maintain that balance between attack and defense, they’ll be hard to beat.”
we ask Djabali for his prediction.
“I think France has a real chance to win it all this year,” he declares confidently.”They have the talent,the depth,and the ambition. It won’t be easy, but I believe they have what it takes to lift the trophy.”
We open the floor to our readers: What are your thoughts on France’s chances? Do you agree with Djabali’s assessment? Are there any players you think could be key to their success? Let us know in the comments below!
