Fabien Galthié made four changes to his starting XV. And composed a bench with six forwards, including the returning Charles Ollivon and Romain Taofifenua.
The game of chasubles had delivered its lessons. Paul Boudehent in front, to compensate for the loss of François Cros; Gabin Villière on the wing to compensate for those of Penaud and Attisogbe; Gaël Fickou and Romain Buros to the detriment of Émilien Gailleton and Léo Barré. That is, four changes – two forced, two by choice – compared to the starting XV which dominated Japan last Saturday (52-12).
The return of Fickou to the center and the promotion of Buros to the back respond to two different logics. A little more experience with the Racingman with 91 caps, who pushes the young Palois Gailleton to the bench. A bet with the back of the UBB, first selection at 27, which leaves the Parisian Barré, who remained on five starts in a row, out of the 23.
A bench that leans forward
The coach also made changes on the bench. With a very clear desire: to respond to the intensity in the fight against the All Blacks who have successively submitted England at Twickenham and Ireland in Dublin. There will therefore be six forwards for only two and three-quarters. Bonus for experience up front with the returns of second-row Romain Taofifenua and third-row Charles Ollivon. Finishers with more than 50 selections each to maintain control in the final moments. Conversely, behind it, freshness is favored. Recovered from his knee discomfort, scrum half Nolann Le Garrec takes the place of Maxime Lucu. And Emilien Gailleton goes from holder to understudy of the center and winger positions.
Last, and prestigious victim, of this game of bonneteau, the UBB opener, Matthieu Jalibert, who disappears from the match sheet. Returned to Bordeaux on Wednesday, certainly with morale at half mast to note that in number 10, the coach prefers a full back (Thomas Ramos holder) and a scrum half (Antoine Dupont, who covers the position in the event of injury). If we add the number 1 choice, Romain Ntamack, forfeited for this tour, Jalibert slipped to 4th place in the hierarchy of the position. A dizzying downgrade for the one who started the 2023 World Cup…
The XV of France : Buros – Villière, Fickou, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey – (o) Ramos, (m) Dupont (cap) – Roumat, Alldritt, Boudehent – Meafou, Flament – Tatafu, Mauvaka, Gros.
Substitutes: Marchand, Wardi, Colombe, R. Taofifenua, Guillard, Ollivon, Le Garrec, Gailleton.
