It was a last minute change that took everyone by surprise. To face Argentina this Friday at the Stade de France, Fabien Galthié decided to line up Léo Barré at the back, instead of Romain Buros. However, the Bordeaux player, freshly capped against the All Blacks and author of a try during his first selection, seemed well on his way to continuing against the Pumas. But the reality is quite different.
XV of France. For his first selection, Romain Buros lived a dream against the All Blacks
Honesty praised by the coach
Present on the match sheet until Tuesday, Romain Buros had to resolve to forfeit. The reason? A crutch on his thigh contracted recently, which prevents him from being at 100% of his capacities. During the press conference, Fabien Galthié explained the situation by highlighting the exemplary attitude of the UBB player:
“Romain Buros was on the team sheet, so he trained with us yesterday. He has not fully recovered from a thigh crutch. And he was very honest with us. Last night, after training, he said: 'I'm not sure I'm 100%.' »
An admission which shows all the maturity of Romain Buros, but which nevertheless deprives him of a new chance to shine in the blue jersey.
Léo Barré, ready to seize his chance
At 21 years old, Léo Barré is not a novice in this French group. Started in the first match of the fall tour against Japan, the Parisian therefore finds his place in the starting XV. “Léo Barré is ready”, assured Fabien Galthié at a press conference.
Aligned in a key position, Barré will be keen to prove that he can bring added value to the Blues collective, facing an Argentinian team renowned for its intensity and combativeness.
An assumed collective decision
If the absence of Buros is a hard blow for him and for the staff, it also reflects the seriousness of the management of the France group. Galthié insisted that this decision, although accelerated by the constraints of regulations with the LNR, was part of a logic of transparency and honesty:
“Romain showed immense courage in recognizing that he was not 100%. This kind of decision shows how much this group respects and trusts each other. »
The Blues will now have to do without Buros, but with a vengeful Barré, ready to take up the challenge of the Pumas this Friday evening.
