Galthié unveils his team to challenge Argentina, with Barré at full-back and Ollivon in place of Alldritt

Another frame left aside this fall. After Gaël Fickou replacing against Japan, then Charles Ollivon absent against the Japanese and on the bench against New Zealand, it is the turn of Grégory Alldritt, another so-called “premium” player, to be demoted and not be selected for the third and final test match of the fall tour, Friday (9:10 p.m.), against Argentina. A hard blow for the man who was the captain of the Blues during the last Six Nations Tournament, in the absence of Antoine Dupont, and who had not left the starting XV of the Blues since November 2021.

Fabien Galthié therefore revealed his team composition this Thursday to challenge the Pumas and the number 8 of Stade Rochelais, lacking power and author of sluggish performances during the first two matches, is not even part of the last group of 23. And to replace him behind the French scrum, it's… Charles Ollivon who will start at the Stade de France.

Note that the third line of the Blues will be completely overhauled since François Cros, returning from the concussion suffered against the Brave Blossoms, will start on Friday, Alexandre Roumat sliding onto the substitutes' bench. The solid Paul Boudehent, author of two last remarkable outings (three tries in the last two matches), logically retains his place in the starting XV.

The main change concerns the full-back position where Parisian Léo Barré, starter against Japan then sidelined against New Zealand, makes his return as a starter in place of Romain Buros, although to his advantage on Saturday last against the All Blacks for his first international cap. But the UBB number 15 has not fully recovered from a crutch, explained Galthié. The other change concerns the first line with the return of the right pillar of the Maritimes, Uini Atonio, recovered from a calf injury, who will start at the Stade de France in place of Tevita Tatafu, injured in the ankle and quadriceps face to the All Blacks vice-world champions.

Gazzotti's international debut

For the rest, no change compared to the team which had disposed of the New Zealanders on the edge. Antoine Dupont and Thomas Ramos continue at the hinge and the three-quarter line remains unchanged with Gabin Villière on one wing and Romain Buros at the back, who will honor his second selection at international level.

The French staff has, once again, decided to line up a 6-2 bench with six forwards and two backs. The young third-row Marko Gazzotti, world champion with the U20s last summer (voted best player of the competition) and very prominent with the UBB this season, should make his debut on the international scene, if he enters stake.

The starting XV against Argentina:

Barré – Villière, Fickou, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey – (o) Ramos, (m) Dupont (cap.) – Boudehent, Ollivon, Cros – Meafou, Flament – Atonio, Mauvaka, Gros.
Substitutes: Marchand, Wardi, Colombe, Roumat, Guillard, Gazzotti, Le Garrec, Gailleton.