Moefana preferred to Fickou against Japan?

In Marcoussis

Big surprise during the high intensity training of the French XV, this Tuesday in Marcoussis. Gaël Fickou, who trained last week with the number 12 chasuble, paid the price for the return of Yoram Moefana, suspended for only two weeks (three, reduced to two for having participated in the awareness training on dangerous tackles).

It was in fact the Bordeaux player who wore number 12 to form the pair of centers with the young Palois Émilien Gailleton (n°13). Pushing the irremovable Racingman out of the starting XV against Japan, the first test match of the November tour, Saturday evening at Stade de France.

Even more worrying for Gaël Fickou, when the supposed replacements returned, it was the neo-Toulonnais Antoine Frisch who was filming with Moefana. Suggesting that the ex-Munster player, who had honored his first two selections last July during the tour to Argentina, had pushed Fickou and his 90 selections out of the group of 23.

Marchand and Lucu back on the substitutes' bench

For the rest, few changes compared to last week's training. Julien Marchand, back after muscle discomfort, appeared among the substitutes, the No. 2 remaining on the shoulders of his Toulouse teammate Peato Mauvaka. As for Maxime Lucu, he took advantage of Nolann Le Garrec's package to take over the status of understudy of the captain of the XV of France, Antoine Dupont.

In the third row, Alexandre Roumat is still one of the starters to the detriment of Charles Ollivon. Finally, at the right pillar position, Uini Atonio too just, the Bayonnais Tevita Tatafu, who, after missing the tour in Argentina due to ineligibility (he is of Tongan origin), should experience his first start on Saturday evening at the Stade de France.

The probable starting XV against Japan : 15. Barré – 14. Penaud, 13. Gailleton, 12. Moefana, 11. Bielle-Biarrey – 10. Ramos, 9. Dupont (cap) ; 8. Alldritt, 7. Roumat, 6. Cros – 5. Meafou, 4. Flament – 3. Tatafu, 2. Mauvaka, 1. Gros.