The French XV faces Japan this Saturday, November 9, for its first match of the “Autumn Nations Series”.
Fabien Galthié's Blues are back without several executives, but with the return of their captain Antoine Dupont.
Follow this poster from 9:10 p.m. on TF1, TF1+ and live with commentary below.
Japan before a summit. Four months after the summer tour in South America, the French XV returns to its audience this Saturday for the “Autumn Nations Series”, against Japan (9:10 p.m. live on TF1 and TF1+ (new window)). On the pitch at the Stade de France, which they beat back for the first time since their elimination in the quarter-finals (new window) of the World Cup, Fabien Galthié's men will try to get off to a good start in November marked by the upcoming clash, a week later, against the All Blacks.
Youth takes power
The coach made several strong choices. If this match is synonymous with a big comeback for Antoine Dupont after his golden parenthesis with the Blues of rugby 7, several executives do not appear in the starting XV. Starting with Gaël Fickou (90 caps), who will take his place on the bench at kick-off, a first since 2019. Third row Charles Ollivon does not even appear in the group, just like Jonathan Danty, not selected in the initial group of 42 players.
The tricolor composition paves the way for the renewal of the squad, three years before the World Cup. This Saturday, a third of the French starters have fewer than five selections: Tevita Tafafu (22 years old), Emmanuel Meafou (26 years old), Alexandre Roumat (27 years old), Émilien Gailleton (21 years old) and Léo Barré (22 years old). Also note the presence among the “finishers” of Georges-Henri Colombe (26 years old) and Mickaël Guillard (23 years old).
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A new generation capable of carrying the Blues? “Players push the competition and enter this XV of France or the 23”rejoiced Fabien Galthié in front of the press. “We want to keep our best players who have lived these five years. But for that, they must be able to regenerate, prepare themselves to continue to progress and not stagnate.” This team new-look in any case passes a first test, before challenging New Zealand and Argentina, each time at the Stade de France.
TO COME
Autumn Nations Series
November 9, 2024, Stade de France
France
Japan
0 – 0
Minute by minute
Experience the rugby match between France and Japan live on TF1 and TF1+ and live with commentary above, with videos of the best moments of the match.
France
