Third row Charles Ollivon and center Gaël Fickou could return to the starting XV against New Zealand on Saturday, while Blues captain Antoine Dupont was spared during training with opposition on Tuesday in Marcoussis. The French right pillar, Uini Atonio, was forced to withdraw from the match against the All Blacks on Saturday (9:10 p.m.).
Attissogbe injured, Villière back?
First captain of the French XV during Fabien Galthié's mandate before Antoine Dupont took over, Ollivon did not participate in the large victory against Japan (52-12), left out of the group but kept as a reserve .
In training on Tuesday, he wore a likely starter's chasuble, associated in the third row with Grégory Alldritt and Paul Boudehent, François Cros being out after a concussion.
Fickou, on the bench against Japan, could find a starting place in the center, associated with Yoram Moefana.
With the absences of Damian Penaud (ill) and Théo Attissogbe (knee sprain), Toulonnais Gabin Villière should make his return on one wing, with Louis-Bielle Biarrey occupying the other. At the back, Bordeaux's Romain Buros could experience his first cape, preferred to Léo Barré.
Antoine Dupont was spared, training away with a group of players: right pillar Uini Atonio, struggling with a calf and second row Thibaud Flament. “Antoine was slightly ill yesterday (Monday) » declared Blues assistant coach William Servat in a conference, assuring that the scrum half will train ” Normally “ Wednesday.
Atonio faced him “to small relapses” from his calf injury, added Servat, for whom the experienced right pillar (34 years old, 62 caps) “won’t be able to apply with us until next week” against Argentina. Tevita Tatafu could therefore experience his second selection against New Zealand.
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Hit in the iliac crest (pelvis), Flament was released after barely half an hour of play against Japan, but should return to normal training on Wednesday. “It won’t stop him from playing this weekend, we’ve just been careful”explained Servat.
