First blow for the French team as the Six Nations tournament approaches. The French Rugby Federation has announced many changes to the first list unveiled to prepare for the first match against Italy on Sunday February 6. Among the changes made, Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack are off the list. The two Toulouse players are among the seven players who have contracted Covid-19 in recent days.
Antoine Dupont, current captain of the Blues, has not played a match since mid-December. The scrum half of Toulouse and the XV of France, named best world player of the year 2021, had resumed training at the start of the week after feeling pain in his knee. He was to return to competition on Saturday against Cardiff in the European Cup, a match finally canceled due to a dozen positive cases of Covid-19 in the Toulouse ranks.
Bouthier will have to wait for his return
The third line Anthony Jelonch and François Cros, the second line Bernard Le Roux or the Toulouse pillar Cyril Baille are the other notable absentees because of the virus.
For their part, Cameron Woki and Uini Atonio are out due to injury. These numerous absences benefit nine players: Swann Rebbadj (Toulon), Léo Coly (Mont-de-Marsan, Pro D2), Paul Boudehent (La Rochelle), Pierre Bourgarit (La Rochelle), Yacouba Camara (Montpellier), Thomas Lavault ( La Rochelle) and Jérôme Rey (Lyon).
Montpellier full-back Anthony Bouthier was due to return to Blue after several months off the list, but his injury with the MHR against Exeter in the European Cup will delay this deadline. He is replaced by Louis Carbonel (Toulon).
The French team began its gathering in Aubagne (Bouches-du-Rhône) this Sunday to prepare for the Six Nations tournament, which it has not won since 2010.