The second row Emmanuel Meafou, the scrum half Nolann Le Garrec, the center Nicolas Depoortère and the back Léo Barré will experience their first start with the XV of France, Sunday, in Wales, in the VI Nations Tournament. The Blues started the competition with a heavy setback against Ireland (37-18), followed by a happy victory in Scotland (20-16) and a pitiful draw against Italy (13-13).
Eight changes in total
In total, for the trip to Cardiff, the French staff made eight changes. Behind the expected returns of third row and captain Grégory Alldritt (26 years old, 47 caps), injured in the leg against Scotland, and winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey (20 years old, 9 caps), victim of a stiff neck before Italy, four little “newbies” will therefore start a meeting for the first time in the worn Le Coq jersey.
Driven by circumstances (injury to fly-half Matthieu Jalibert, suspension of center Jonathan Danty, poor form of scrum-half Maxime Lucu…) as much as the results, coach Fabien Galthié brought in full-back and scorer Thomas Ramos ( 28 years old, 34 selections) at the opening where he will be associated with Racing 92 scrum half Nolann Le Garrec. After three first selections coming off the bench, Le Garrec will be able to show that he has the shoulders to be the replacement for the untouchable Antoine Dupont, busy with rugby sevens and the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. This change of position from Ramos also allows Stade Français fullback Léo Barré (21) to earn his starting stripes.
Dupont at VII, an “investment” for the future, according to Gatlhié
The coach of the French future of the Blues.
“It’s also time saved for the French team (at XV),” said Galthié on the sidelines of the announcement of his composition for the trip to Wales on Sunday in the VI Nations Tournament. “It is an investment by Antoine which will bear fruit in the years to come,” he added, referring to the 2027 World Cup in Australia. “It’s an inspiring choice.”
New Holder Merchant
The colossal second row of Toulouse Emmanuel Meafou (25 years old, 2.03m for 145kg), naturalized at the end of the year and finally recovered from a sprained knee, will also make his entry into the starting XV, alongside of his club partner Thibaud Flament (26 years old, 24 selections), also just returned from injury.
The UBB nugget Nicolas Depoortère (21 years old), U20 world champion, will be associated in the center with Gaël Fickou after a sparkling start to the season and the red card received by Jonathan Danty against Italy. Finally, hooker Julien Marchand finds a starting place, in place of his partner in Rouge et Noir Peato Mauvaka. Marchand had not started in Blue since his injury during the opening match of the World Cup against New Zealand (27-13).
The XV of France against Wales
Holders: Barré – Penaud, Fickou, Depoortère, Bielle-Biarrey – (o) Ramos, (m) Le Garrec – Ollivon, Alldritt (cap.), Cros – Meafou, Flament – Atonio, Marchand, Baille
Substitutes: Mauvaka, S. Taofifenua, Colombe, R. Taofifenua, Roumat, Boudehent, Lucu, Moefana
Reserves: Lamothe, Aldegheri, Abadie, Gibert, Lebel