XV of France – Antoine Dupont expected as captain, surprises Pierre Bochaton and Léo Berdeu?

Within a few hours, coach Fabien Galthié should announce the list of 42 players called to prepare for the November tour, during which the French XV will face Japan, New Zealand and Argentina at the Stade de France ( Saint-Denis). Obviously, surprises should be few. At the back of the field, Thomas Ramos (he will probably occupy the position of opener in the absence of Romain Ntamack, who will be out of the first match and could be out for the rest of the tour), Léo Barré, although little convincing in recent weeks, even Romain Buros, who is riding the excellent start to the Bordeaux season, are expected, knowing that Louis Bielle-Biarrey, first choice on the wing, can play in 15.

The Palois Théo Attissogbe, who shone in Argentina, could find Damian Penaud and Matthis Lebel on the wings. At the opening, the favorite to replace Ntamack therefore remains Ramos, that Matthieu Jalibert and Léo Berdeu (rather than Antoine Hastoy?) would accompany them in their task, at least against Japan. Despite the poor form of Racing 92, Gaël Fickou remains essential in the middle of the field, Jonathan Danty, Yoram Moefana, Emilien Gailleton, Antoine Frisch, even Paul Costes (who could benefit from the injury of Nicolas Depoortere), should escort the Ile-de-France captain.

With Lucu, Nouchi and Guillard

One of the questions for this line of attack concerns the number 3 scrum half, where Antoine Dupont and Nolann Le Garrec are certain starters: who of Serin, Lucu, Couilloud or Jauneau? A priori, Maxime Lucu holds the rope… As mentioned in these columns last week, Dupont should recover the captaincy. A subject that is no longer in doubt today. In the forward pack, he is essential in the third line and François Cros, Charles Ollivon, Grégory Alldritt and Anthony Jelonch are all part of it. Like Alexandre Roumat now. Montpellier’s Lenni Nouchi and Bordeaux’s Marko Gazzotti are closely followed, with Racingman Cameron Woki being sidelined for the moment.

If the staff pleases, Temo Matiu could still wait, like Joshua Brennan in the second row. In the cage and to accompany the colossi Emmanuel Meafou, Romain Taofifenua or Thibaud Flament, the Lyonnais Mickaël Guillard and the Girondin Pierre Bochaton are expected. On the front line, Georges-Henri Colombe and Uini Atonio are almost certain and the poor form of Thomas Laclayat and Dorian Aldegheri should benefit Sipili Falatea, back after a long knee injury, or even Bayonnais Tevita Tatafu. on the left, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Reda Wardi and Sébastien Taofifenua have a head start. It remains to be seen, now, who Gaëtan Barlot (who is favorite) or Maxime Lamothe will join the two Toulouse hookers (Mauvaka and Marchand) at Marcoussis.