The composition of the French XV for the test match against Argentina has been revealed. If the sidelining of Grégory Alldritt was expected, that of Romain Buros, who scored a try against the All Blacks, is more surprising. But there is an explanation.
Fabien Galthié has decided. For the meeting between the Blues and Argentina, the last test of the autumn tour, the coach of the French XV made four changes among the winning starters of New Zealand (30-29) last Saturday.
Some returns were expected, such as that of Uini Atonio in the front row, where Tevita Tatafu was injured against the All Blacks. In the third line, the reshuffle was also considered. It is Grégory Alldritt, not very dashing since the start of the season, who bears the brunt, and gives up his place at No. 8 to Charles Ollivon. At his side, François Cros will replace Alexandre Roumat.
“These are choices shared internally, explained Galthié about Alldritt, in comments reported by RMC. There is no controversy around that. There is no controversy around Jalibert either. He needed to regenerate, we talk to him. I find it a shame to conflate comments made in the direction of a match. »
Buros withdrew
The last change, finally, is more surprising. Author of a try for his first selection for the Blues, and rather convincing when he was thrown into the international deep end against the formidable All Blacks, Romain Buros disappears from the match sheet, for the return of Léo Barré (who had played against Japan in the first test). But this is not a tactical choice on the part of the coach.
“Romain Buros is out, it was planned on the match sheet, Galthié assured. He has not fully recovered from a thigh crutch. He was honest with us and said: 'I'm not sure I'm 100%'. (…) A decision had to be made and it was Romain who made it. I would like to salute Romain's courage, honesty and frankness regarding this decision. »
Among the finishers, to use the term dear to Fabien Galthié, we still find six forwards, but no Alldritt. It is the promising Marko Gazzotti (20 years old, UBB) who joins the scoresheet.
The starting XV of the Blues:
Barré – Villière, Fickou, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey – (o) Ramos, (m) Dupont (cap.) – Boudehent, Ollivon, Cros – Meafou, Flament – Atonio, Mauvaka, Gros.
The replacements: Marchand, Wardi, Colombe, Roumat, Guillard, Gazzotti, Le Garrec, Gailleton
Argentina's starting XV:
Mallia – Isgro, Cinti, Moroni, Delguy – (o) Albornoz, (m) Garcia – Gonzalez, Oviedo, Matera – Rubiolo, Petti – Sclavi, Montoya (cap.), Gallo.
The replacements: Ruiz, Calles, Gomez Kodela, Molina, Kremer, Bazan Vélez, S. Carreras, M. Carreras
