Plate tectonics, which governs competition within the French XV, has once again moved the lines this week. And when Fabien Galthié formalizes this Thursday noon the team composition chosen to face Japan, this Saturday at the Stade de France in the first of three tests of this November tour, Charles Ollivon, Anthony Jelonch and Gaël Fickou should be listed among the main victims of the small seismic wave which has spread within the CNR of Marcoussis since the start of the Blues rally.
“Victims” to certainly varying degrees: if Gaël Fickou should find a place on the bench – a first it should be remembered since 2019 – it is not at all certain that the same will be true for the Charles flankers Ollivon and Anthony Jelonch. The Basque could still be included in the group of 28 players retained this weekend.
If he doesn't evade the questions too much, it will inevitably be interesting to listen to the coach justify choices that are, to say the least, striking. Because if the foundations of his arguments should obviously be sporting criteria, they nonetheless affect three of Antoine Dupont's five vice-captains. Knowing that a fourth, in the person of Julien Marchand, will also be a replacement.
But it is not necessary to hear his explanations to take note of what Fabien Galthié's choices scream: while he had announced that he wanted to take 80% of his group to the next World Cup in Australia in 2027, this seems like a proclamation of the competition regime.
“The law of sport”
François Cros, who has often faced this reality in the ultra-competitive sector of the third line, welcomed it: “It's important, it allows everyone to push their limits to have the chance to be on this team. […] There are inevitably new faces who want to be part of the group. It’s normal, it’s the law of sport.” A law sometimes amended in the name of collective experience in the recent past.
The likely team: Barré – Penaud, Gailleton, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey – (o) Ramos, (m) Dupont (c) – Roumat, Alldritt, Cros – Meafou, Flament – Tatafu, Mauvaka, Gros.
