France name team to play the All Blacks
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Fabien Galthié revealed the composition of the French team for the upcoming clash against the All Blacks (Saturday, 9:10 p.m.). As expected, Romain Buros takes Léo Barré's place at the back and will experience his first selection. The three-quarter center Gaël Fickou makes his return to the starting fifteen.
Fabien Galthié has made his decision! For the second test match of the autumn tour, the coach of the French XV has announced the list of 23 Blues who will challenge the All Blacks, Saturday evening at the Stade de France
Unsurprisingly, Antoine Dupont is present. The captain of the French XV, slightly ill at the beginning of the week and preserved, will hold his place against the men in black. He will compose the hinge with his club partner Thomas Ramos. The usual number 15 is reappointed at fly-half, after the great collective performance of the Blues against Japan ( 52-12 ). As announced, Matthieu Jalibert is not in the 23. The fly-half was released and returned to Bordeaux.
4 changes compared to Japan
To lay down his team for the clash, the French staff had to deal with a certain number of forfeits: Uini Atonio, François Cros, Damian Penaud and Théo Attissogbe were unable to apply. As a result, in the front row, Jean-Baptiste Gros, author of a great performance against the Japanese, is retained, accompanied by Mauvaka and Tatatu who will experience his 2nd selection. In the third row, the absence of Cros is compensated by the arrival in the fifteen of Paul Boudehent. The Rochelais also stood out during the match against the Japanese . He will start alongside his club captain Grégory Alldritt, and Toulouse's Alexandre Roumat.
n total, Fabien Galthié and his assistants made four changes to the starting fifteen compared to last weekend's big win. Paul Boudehent replaces François Cros, Gabin Villière takes the place of Théo Attissogbe, who has a knee injury, Romain Buros is preferred to Léo Barré at the back and Gaël Fickou returns to the starting fifteen at the expense of Émilien Gailleton, on the bench. For the UBB number 15, the duel against the Blacks will be the first big moment of his international career. At 27, the Landais is rewarded for his efforts and will have the opportunity to shine against one of the best teams in the world.
Return of Villière, Le Garrec, Ollivon and Taofifenua
In addition to the starting line-up of Romain Buros in place of Léo Barré, who is no longer in the 23, Fabien Galthié has chosen to put Gaël Fickou back at the heart of the debate. Substitute against Japan, the Racingman with 90 caps and the rooster jersey, will be associated in the center of the attack with Yoram Moefana, who continues. A decision that propels the young Pau player onto the bench, in an organization with six forwards and two three-quarters. Let's talk about these substitutes, because there are some notable returns. Charles Ollivon (44 caps) and Romain Taofifenua (51 caps), two crucial warriors of Fabien Galthié's first term, will be brought in to finish the match to bring their experience. At the back, Nolann Le Garrec returns to his role as substitute scrum-half and is ahead of Maxime Lucu in the hierarchy. Gailleton will cover the other positions in case of injury.
The starting XV of the Blues
15. Buros; 14. Villière, 13. Fickou, 12. Moefana, 11. Bielle-Biarrey; 10. Ramos, 9. Dupont (cap.); 7. Roumat, 8. Alldritt, 6. Boudehent; 5. Meafou, 4. Flament; 3. Tatafu, 2. Mauvaka, 1. Big.
Substitutes : 16. Marchand, 17. Wardi, 18. Colombe, 19. R. Taofifenua, 20. Guillard, 21. Ollivon, 22. Le Garrec, 23. Gailleton.