Perpignan’s second row Poloso Tuilagi will have his first start with the French XV when they face Italy on Sunday (4:00 p.m.) in Villeneuve-d’Ascq during the 3rd day of the Six Nations Tournament.
The other change comes from the third row and François Cros (29 years old, 29 sel.) who slides to the position of N.8 in place of Rochelais Grégory Alldritt, captain of the Blues forfeited due to a cut in the thigh left occurred during the narrow victory in Scotland (20-16).
The captain will be replaced in this role by Toulonnais Charles Ollivon (30 years old, 41 sel.), already captain at the start of the Galthié mandate. The third row is completed by Rochelais Paul Boudehent (24 years old, 8 selections).
Continue against Italy
For the rest, thirteen of the fifteen winners of Murrayfield do not move: the 100% UBB hinge formed by Matthieu Jalibert (25 years old, 32 selections) at the opening and Maxime Lucu (31 years old, 20 selections) at the scrum, even chaotic, is maintained, as is the duo of centers Gaël Fickou (29 years old, 87 selections)-Jonathan Danty (31 years old, 28 selections).
At 26 years old, RC Toulon second row Esteban Abadie will experience his first international selection if he comes off the bench, organized in a 6-2 (6 forwards and 2 backs).
This group of 23 players is 27 years old and 28 caps on average. After their inaugural rout against Ireland (38-17) and the narrow success in Scotland (20-16) two weeks ago, the Blues will try to continue against the Squadra Azzurra.
The composition of the XV of France against Italy: Ramos – Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Bielle-Biarrey – (o) Jalibert, (m) Lucu – Ollivon (cap.), Cros, Boudehent – Tuilagi, Woki – Atonio, Mauvaka, Baille
Substitutes : Marchand, S. Taofifenua, Aldegheri, R. Taofifenua, Roumat, Abadie, Le Garrec, Moefana
Reservists: Lamothe, Priso, Gabrillagues, Gibert, Barré