Fabien Galthié and the staff of the XV of France were able to count on an almost complete group this Wednesday to prepare for the start of the Six Nations Tournament and the reception of Wales on January 31 at the Stade de France.
After training with reduced numbers on Tuesday, the Blues of the XV of France were on the field, in the cold of Marcoussis this Wednesday morning. With the key to the first lessons for the composition of the team which will face Wales on January 31 at the opening of the VI Nations Tournament.
Fabien Galthié and Antoine Dupont returned from Rome, with the rest of the group well rested after the Champions Cup weekend, the Blues trained this morning. Only Emmanuel Meafou, spared, and Louis Bielle Biarrey, victim of dizziness on the sidelines of the Champions Cup, were not on the field. The UBB winger could not participate in the session due to the FFR-LNR convention limiting the French group to 42 players for today's training.
On the morning's program, high-intensity training, with specific work on scrums and game launches. And thanks to the game of bibs, with which Fabien Galthié has never made a secret, certain choices of the coach are taking shape Already.
Ntamack back
Toulouse fly-half Romain Ntamack, for example, recovered the white chasuble of the holders flocked with the number 10. A position he has not held since August 2023 and his knee injury before the World Cup.
The fly-half was of course associated with captain Antoine Dupont at the hinge, with Thomas Ramos returning at full-back, his preferred position, after leading the Blues' attack as fly-half over the last five games.
On the wings, Damian Penaud, the height of a sextuplet with Union Bordeaux Bègles against the Sharks last weekend, wore number 14. In the absence of the rocket Louis Bielle Biarrey, it was Gabin Villiere who occupied the left wing.
-Towards a tenure for Barassi
In the center of the field, the choices are numerous. Who to accompany Yoram Moefana, who has become the indisputable starter at first center, in the absence of Gaël Fickou and Jonathan Danty?
The Palois Emilien Gailleton, the Toulouse Pierre-Louis Barassi and the Bordeaux Nicolas Depoortere should compete for the place of second center. And it was Toulouse Barassi who was lined up with the starters this Wednesday morning, Emilien Gailleton taking his place among the replacements.
Meafou household, Big rather than Yawn?
Up front, the questions are big, especially at the front row. If Peato Mauvaka and Julien Marchand will be the heels for the opening match, it is difficult to find certainties among the pillars. On the left, Jean-Baptiste Gros wore number 1 with captain Uini Atonio as the right pillar.
In the second row, no surprise, the Toulouse team Thibaud Flament–Emmanuel Meafou will obviously be lined up against the Welsh. But this Wednesday morning, the latter was spared, suffering from a small bruise on his shoulder.
It was Racingman Romain Taofifenua, recovered from his knee injury suffered last weekend with Racing 92, who played in his place. Finally Greg Aldritt should start at number 8, with François Cros and Paul Boudehent alongside him in the third row. Alexandre Roumat, recovered from his muscle injury, will play this weekend with Stade Toulousain against Montpellier in the Top 14. He could claim a place in the third row against Wales.
The probable line-up of the Blues against Wales
- Jean-Baptiste Gros or Cyril Baille
- Peato Mauvaka
- Win Anthony
- Thibaud Flament
- Emmanuel New
- François Cros
- Paul Boudehent
- Greg Aldritt
- Antoine Dupont
- Romain Ntamack
- Louis Bielle Biarey or Gabin Villiere
- Yoram Moefana
- Pierre Louis Barassi
- Damian Penaud
- Thomas Ramos
