who could be the surprises of the list of the XV of France

Handicapped by a few notable packages, Fabien Galthié could rely on talented young people as well as certain “returnees” when composing the team. first list of the French XV for the 2025 6 Nations Tournament. Here are the possible surprises.

Any surprises to come on the French XV list for the 6 Nations?

When it comes to the lists of the XV of France, total surprises are rare. That is to say that each player present will, a priori, have earned their place thanks to their club performances. Services that are also public and difficult to ignore completely.

However, the notion of merit remains inherent in the selection process, it is even underlying what has almost become a motto in the Blues environment: “Go get the jersey. »

By their status, by their background, there are some who will therefore be expected on the list that Fabien Galthié will reveal on January 15 in the afternoon. Others a little less.

These young people who have one foot in the locker room door

Some have already experienced the honors of a selection with the rooster jersey, others “only” a first call-up to Marcoussis to begin acclimatizing to the training of the XV of France. Everyone will have a card to play in the months and years to come.

We think first of To be Nouchi (2 selections) or Marko Gazzotti (1), which would ultimately only be half-surprises in this first list of 42 given the very promising first steps at the international level in 2024.

Starting from a little further away to hope to appear on the match sheets during this 6 Nations 2025, Josh Brennan et Test Matthew could, however, enter the first list given their performances with Toulouse and Bordeaux-Bègles and their visits to Marcoussis last year.

On the Toulon side, Matthias Halagahu is also gradually coming back to the forefront after being called up for the first time in 2024. Despite their setbacks, Hugo Auradou et Oscar Jegou are “selectable”, as Fabien Galthié recalled.

High-end ghosts

On the front line, the Blues staff could face some disappointments in their preparation for the 6 Nations Tournament.

To the right of the scrum, we are still waiting for news from Uini Atonio while Tevita Tatafu could wait a little longer before hoping to play again in the Top 14 during the 15^e day (Saturday January 25). If both were to give up at the start of the Tournament, a player like Dorian Aldegheri could be in ambush despite its difficulties at the start of the season. He also performed well in South Africa against the Sharks.

To a lesser extent, question marks exist on the left. If Cyril Baille is finally back, Reda Wardi is injured and Jean-Baptiste Gros has not yet returned to the field. Enough to make room for a true ghost in the person of a Dany Priso (last cape in November 2022) very fit with the RCT?

With very similar profiles, able to take advantage of Charles Ollivon’s package and capitalize on their versatility, two other returnees can claim a place. Yacouba Camara excellent with Montpellier who has not played with the French XV since the 2019 World Cup, and Cameron Wokinot necessarily to his advantage but which for a time was unbreakable under Galthié.

Another player who finds color at MHR, Arthur Vincentwho was at the 2023 World Cup, has come a long way but will probably have to wait a little longer.

Gaël Dréan: the big odds

No less than 11 tries in 11 matches with Toulon this season, each time as a starter. As the first half of the year, we did much worse than that of Gaël Dréan co-top try scorer in the Top 14 with Sireli Maqala.

Undoubtedly perfectible, the three-quarter electric wing of the RCT will not have failed to attract the attention of the Blues staff who could well be tempted by a summons, if only to see the phenomenon more closely at the ‘training.

A big rating without a doubt there too, especially in view of the competition for the position. But you never know…

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