the essential
After the strong success against New Zealand on Saturday November 16 (30-29), some changes could take place within the rugby Blues for the meeting against the Pumas, third and final meeting of the autumn tour.
The tenure of the right pillar Win Anthony should be one of the rare changes in a little-modified French XV to face Argentina this Friday, November 22 (9:10 p.m.), a week after triumphing over the All Blacks with forceps (30-29).
Forfeited for the first two matches after a calf injury, Atonio (34 years old, 62 caps) should be fit to anchor the right side of the scrum against the Pumas. The return of the experienced La Rochelle pillar is good news for the blue pack, which left feathers against the Blacks. The young Avoid Tatafu (22 years old), starter during the first two autumn test matches, is out after taking a blow to one knee.
Also read:
Antoine Dupont “A person touched by grace…” An Argentina coach amazed by the star player he compares to Lionel Messi
Little chance of seeing a starter Georges-Henri Colombewho had to play 70 minutes against New Zealand after Tatafu was injured two days earlier. The rest of the front five should not see any further changes, in the absence of injuries, unless the additional day of rest for the Argentines, who played on Friday (22-19 defeat in Ireland), does not push the coach Fabien Galthié to focus on freshness rather than the form of the moment.
We should therefore find the left pillar of Toulon Jean-Baptiste Grosvery prominent against Japan as well as against the Blacks, and the Toulouse Peato Mauvaka tailgating and Thibaud Flament et Emmanuel New in the second line, Romain Taofifenua having suffered a concussion.
Unless Julien Marchand took over from Mauvaka, who spared no effort, finishing the match against the New Zealanders in the third row, as well as in front of the Japanese.
Also read:
XV of France: Matthieu Jalibert not selected for the match against Argentina, Pierre-Louis Barassi called up
Third line competition
It is precisely in the third line that changes could take place, where competition is fiercest. Difficult to do without Paul Boudehentexcellent both when returning against Japan (52-12 victory) and as a starter against the All Blacks. Victim of a concussion, the tireless François Cros applies again, while his Toulouse teammate Alexandre Roumat was satisfactory, highlighting his mobility, his technical facility and his aerial play. It is therefore perhaps a member of the Blues who could pay the price for the emulation advocated by Galthié this fall: Grégory Damn itwho had assumed the captaincy in the absence of Antoine Dupont.
Released after only 48 minutes of play against the triple world champions New Zealand on Saturday, the Rochelais, despite his slaughter in defense and in the rucks, seems to be behind with the ball in hand.
Also read:
France – New Zealand: several injured Blues, already a forfeit for the next match against Argentina! Fabien Galthié gives news
Another frame, Charles Ollivonthe first captain of the Galthié mandate, shone when he came into play on Saturday, notably with a saving scratch on the ground in front of the goal. Enough to find the starting XV, after being excluded against Japan?
The hinge, composed of the captain Antoine Dupont and versatile Thomas Ramosshould not move, especially since the UBB opener Matthew Jalibertexcluded from the group against the New Zealanders, was not recalled.
Gaël Fickoureplacing against Japan, assumed his status as boss on Saturday, and should be renewed, with at his side Yoram Moefana. On the wings, the absences of Damian Penaud (sick) and Theo Attissogbe (knee) leave room free for Gabin Villièrewhile Louis Bielle-Biarrey, again author of a test on Saturday at the Stade de France, his 9th in 13 selections, will logically be present.
Finally at the back, Romain Buros did not disappoint for his baptism of fire against the New Zealanders, and should have a second cape in a row, after several years of waiting for the first.
