Fabien Galthié, coach of the French XV, revealed this Thursday the composition of the team which will face New Zealand on Saturday (9:10 p.m.) at the Stade de France in a test match. Romain Buros, Union Bordeaux-Bègles player, will celebrate his first selection at the back.
The staff of the XV of France made four changes in the composition of the team which will start against New Zealand, Saturday (9:10 p.m.) at the Stade de France, compared to the composition against Japan (52-12), the last week. Some by choice, others by injury. As expected in recent days, Fabien Galthié has decided to offer his first selection to Romain Buros (27 years old), player from Union Bordeaux-Bègles. He sits at the back in place of Léo Barré, author of a difficult start to the season with Stade Français but still lined up against Japan.
The great return of Gabin Villière
Gaël Fickou finds a starting role in the center alongside Yoram Moefana, after being eclipsed by Emilien Gailleton last weekend. Two other players join their team, including the great returnee Gabin Villière. The winger takes advantage of the absences of Damian Penaud (ill) and Théo Attissogbe, injured in the knee against Japan, to return to the Blues more than a year after his last appearance for the selection, on September 14, 2023 against Uruguay ( 27-12) in the World Cup.
In the third row Paul Boudehent, author of a good start against the Japanese, will start in place of François Cros, injured. An uncertain time, Thibaut Flament is back and starts in the second row. The staff also opted for a bench with six forwards and two backs, on which Charles Ollivon reappears, left out of the 23 during the first test match.
The center Emilien Gailleton and the scrum half Nolann Le Garrec are the two backs chosen to the detriment in particular of the Bordeaux fly-half, Matthieu Jalibert. The staff is counting on the versatility of Antoine Dupont, captain, to cover the 10 position if necessary.
The XV of France against the All Blacks: Buros – Villière, Moefana, Fickou, Bielle-Biarrey – (o) Ramos, (m) Dupont (cap) – Roumat, Aldritt, Boudehent – Meafou, Flament – Tatafu, Mauvaka, Gros
Substitutes: Marchand, Wardi, Colombe, R.Taofifenua, Guillard, Ollivon, Le Garrec, Gailleton
