Coach Fabien Galthié, who used to favor continuity, could, this time, change four elements of his starting XV to challenge the vice-world champions New Zealand on Saturday evening.
The first high-intensity training session, this Tuesday in Marcoussis, was rich in lessons. While the coach, Fabien Galthié, traditionally changed his teams little from one match to the next, this time he should reshuffle his starting XV more widely compared to the one which dominated Japan (52-12) on Saturday last, at the Stade de France.
To face the New Zealand world vice-champions this Saturday, still in Saint-Denis, it would have to change almost a third of its starters. Two are imposed by the packages. Damian Penaud, ill (high fever) and returning to Bordeaux to recover, and François Cors, victim of a concussion against the Japanese, were forced to withdraw.
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Villière preferred to Lebel
To replace the UBB winger, the French staff should start Toulonnais Gabin Villière (29 years old in December, 16 caps), if we are to believe the game of the chasubles this Tuesday. A big return for the helmeted player who had not been selected since the World Cup match against Uruguay on September 14, 2023. He was preferred to Toulouse's Matthis Lebel.
To compensate for Cros' package, Paul Boudehent should be preferred to Charles Ollivon. Replacing Saturday against Japan, the Rochelais, who came on at half-time in place of Cros, made a strong impression by scoring two tries. Toulon's Ollivon, out of the 23 last Saturday, should join the substitutes' bench.
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Fickou returns, first for Buros
In addition to these two forced changes, Fabien Galthié and his deputies should make other replacements in the starting XV. In the back line, Gaël Fickou, placed on the bench after 48 starts in a row, should return to his number 13 at the expense of the young Palois Émilien Gailleton. Here too, the experience guarantee is privileged, the Racingman with 91 selections being the captain of the French defense.
At the back, Parisian Léo Barré, author of a lackluster match against the Japanese, should lose his place, after five starts in a row, to the benefit of Bordeaux's Romain Buros. Which, at 27, would honor his first selection against the All Blacks. We had less difficult beginnings…
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Feverish, Dupont trains separately
Complicated, this Tuesday, to take full stock of the starting team because three possible starters were training separately. Antoine Dupont, feverish and replaced among the supposed starters by Nolann Le Garrec, Thibaud Flament and Uini Atonio, all three were content with small exercises in the goal, but free of contact.
No worries for Antoine Dupont according to the staff of the XV of France. He will be back in collective training this Wednesday. Just like Flament. Uncertain after receiving a blow to the iliac crest last Saturday against the Brave Blossoms, the Toulouse second row underwent reassuring examinations on Sunday, and should be able to hold his place. In the meantime, it was Charles Ollivon who played second row alongside Emmanuel Meafou.
On the other hand, the experienced Uini Atonio (34 years old, 62 caps) will not take the place, at right pillar, of the young Tevita Tatafu, who had honored his first selection against the Brave Blossoms. William Servat has in fact revealed that no risk of relapse will be taken regarding a relapse of his calf muscle problem. The Rochelais will only apply for the third test, Friday November 22, against Argentina.
Likely starting XV against New Zealand : 15. Buros – 14. Villière, 13. Fickou, 12. Moefana, 11. Bielle-Biarrey – 10. Ramos, 9. Dupont (cap) – 8. Alldritt, 7. Roumat, 6. Boudehent – 5. Meafou, 4. Flament – 3. Tatafu, 2. Mauvaka, 1. Gros.
