the essential
The identity of the 15 players called to start the first match of the fall tour is becoming clearer, three days before the deadline at the Stade de France (Saturday November 9, 9:10 p.m.).
With the probable tenure of Moefana in the center rather than Fickou and those of Roumat or Tatafu in the pack, the XV of France approaches the match against Japan on Saturday November 9 as the start of a new cycle, without completely breaking with the start of the Galthié mandate.
At the Blues' training on Tuesday in Marcoussis, it was not the number 10 again worn by Toulouse's Thomas Ramos which attracted attention, but the number 12, on the back of Yoram Moefana rather than the veteran Gaël Fickou (30 years, 90 caps). A configuration repeated on Wednesday, where Fickou trained again as a substitute.
Such a relegation would be a strong symbol: throughout Fabien Galthié's mandate, the Racing center, designated as the captain of the defense, has never been on the Blues bench.
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The UBB player (24 years old, 28 caps), just requalified after a suspension for a high tackle on Jonathan Danty, should therefore be associated with another symbol of renewal, the young (21 years old, 3 caps) Palois Emilien Gailleton, who benefits in particular from the injury absence of Nicolas Depoortère.
“We knew that the Tournament (2024, Editor's note) would be a continuation of what was done before. This summer, we had the chance to go with players with less experience but a lot of desire”, recalls Laurent Sempéré, deputy of Galthié, to explain the construction of the group for the autumn test matches. “There were some who emerged and we completed this group to have the 42 who are today.”
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Ollivon downgraded
Another Blues executive could pay the price for this desire for transition. Toulon third row Charles Ollivon, the first captain appointed by Galthié before Antoine Dupont then Grégory Alldritt replaced him, should not be in the XV against Japan, or perhaps even in the group.
Ollivon seems to be overtaken by Alexandre Roumat, in great form for two seasons, and whose technical and aerial profile has won over the staff. The Toulousain would be associated with two retained executives, his club teammate François Cros and the Rochelais Alldritt.
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“There are players who will not play the first match and who will perhaps return the following week or even the week after that,” said Sempéré without wanting to draw a line under the retired executives. “It’s a group that continues to move forward. There are 42 players who are there, there are already some who have come and gone.”
A novice should make his debut up front: Bayonnais Tevita Tatafu. Just selectable, the right pillar of Tongan origin should benefit from the physical problems of Uini Atonio, in the group of 42 but preserved in training on Tuesday.
Tatafu “has great physical qualities and power. He is capable of moving the ball, not just playing in the middle,” explains Sempéré. “We work a lot on his physical condition so that he can develop the tasks.”
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The rest of the pack should not contain any surprises: Peato Mauvaka at the heel with Julien Marchand on the bench, Thibaud Flament – Emmanuel Meafou on the second line, and the left pillar of RC Toulon Jean-Baptiste Gros, who holds the rope in front of Reda Wardi .
Behind, Léo Barré is reinforced at the back and the arrows Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey maintained on the wings. Dupont logically returns to the fray, the hinge will find Thomas Ramos at the opening, who had finished the Tournament in place of the injured Matthieu Jalibert.
