Let's go for the fall tour at the Stade de France. The experienced center Gaël Fickou will be a substitute for the French XV match against Japan on Saturday, a first for him since 2019 and under the mandate of Fabien Galthié, the coach announced Thursday in Marcoussis. Without the 30-year-old player, the most capped active player with 90 caps, the center of the French XV will be occupied by Bordelais Yoram Moefana and Palois Emilien Gailleton at the start of the first of three test matches in November.
Fickou had started in his last 48 appearances with the blue jersey since February 1, 2019 and the first match of the Tournament against Wales. A sign of his importance, he played all the matches of the last three Tournaments.
Another notable absentee: the first captain of the Galthié era, the third row Charles Ollivon was not selected for the match and is a reserve.
The return of Antoine Dupont
The XV of France will be able to count on the return of its captain Antoine Dupont, after a year of absence since the World Cup to allow him to try the adventure of Rugby sevens, from where he returns with Olympic gold around his neck.
The scrum half will be accompanied at the hinge by Thomas Ramosas expected since the first training sessions. Ramos, who plays successfully as a full-back for his club Stade Toulouse, finished the last Six Nations Tournament as a fly-half, to compensate for long-term injuries to Romain Ntamack and then Matthieu Jalibert.
The titular sensation Yoram Moefana
The composition paves the way for the renewal of the squad three years from the World Cup. The new center pair is young, with 21 years and 3 selections for Emilien Gailleton and 24 years and 28 selections for Yoram Moefana.
Alexandre Roumat will wear the number 7. Also note the first selection for the pillar Avoid Tatafu.
The composition of the XV of France
After Japan on Saturday, the Blues will face New Zealand and Argentina, each time at the Stade de France.
France
