Before the clash against New Zealand on November 16, the French XV will start its series of test matches against Japan (November 9). The third meeting will see Argentina host on November 22, at the Stade de France for the three clashes. Although friendly, these matches will be very essential for Fabien Galthié and his staff. Despite the importance of these confrontations in November, the coach will be forced to deal with several absences. Between injuries and players excluded for non-sporting reasons, the Blues will be deprived of important players.
The problem for Ntamack, Baille and Tuilagi still out
Against Clermont, Romain Ntamack tore his calf during the last match with Stade Toulousain this Saturday, October 12. The fly-half is expected to be out for three to four weeks, but could apply to return for the New Zealand game in the best-case scenario. While waiting for the possible return of the French number 10, his position as opener could be filled by Mathieu Jalibert (Bordeaux), Thomas Ramos (Toulouse) or even Léo Berdeu (Lyon).
Stade Toulousain player like Romain Ntamack, Cyril Baille is still unavailable after his injury during the last semi-final of the Top 14. After undergoing an operation the next day, the Toulousain’s rehabilitation could allow him to return for the Six Nations tournament, at the start of 2025. Regulars in the French XV, Reda Wardi (La Rochelle), Jean-Baptiste Gros (Toulon) and Sébastien Taofifenua (Lyon) should replace him as left pillar.
Seriously injured after a tackle suffered against Clermont on September 28, Posolo Tuilagi had surgery for a fractured tibia and fibula. The second line from Perpignan will miss more than five months of competition and could only return at the end of the season with the southern club. Mickaël Guillard (Lyon) and Joshua Brennan (Toulouse) could be lined up to replace him.
Victim of a very serious head impact during the match against Perpignan on the last day of the Top 14, Nicolas Depoortere suffered a concussion as well as a fracture of the floor of the orbit. The Bordeaux number 13 does not yet know his length of unavailability but will miss the three meetings with the XV of France. Present as first center during his last two selections – which were also his first two -, he should be replaced by Emilien Gailleton (Pau) or Antoine Frisch (Toulon).
The case of Melvyn Jaminet, Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou
Suspended 34 weeks after his racist comments made on his social networks, Melvyn Jaminet is obviously suspended from this selection. If he has already resumed training with Toulon, he could well return to the field at the end of January. The former Perpignan and Toulouse player will therefore perhaps leave his place to Romain Buros (Bordeaux).
The two other players affected by the controversies during the Argentina tour are Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jégou. If their selections are not yet compromised, the French Rugby Federation is waiting to hear the court’s decision. “Without an official dismissal, Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou will not play for the France team. The position I express is that of the FFR. Pau does what he wants, the same for La Rochelle »said Jean-Marc Lhermet, vice-president of the Federation.
Pending a decision which should be given this Friday, October 18, the two players do not yet know if they will be able to be called up. After a period without playing for the two rugby players, a call-up to the French team would still seem complicated even in the event of dismissal. More than the physical form of the two concerned, the image returned could also count.
