As usual, the staff of the XV of France did not make too many mysteries about the probable team which should be aligned for their next match, this Saturday in Nantes against Fiji, in preparation for the World Cup. Fabien Galthié should carry out a broad review of the workforce in relation to Saturday’s victory against Scotland (30-27).
In the team of probable holders with the blue chasuble, Tuesday during training open to the media in Capbreton (Landes), only 2 players out of 15 (Grégory Alldritt and Jonathan Danty) were in the starting XV in Saint-Étienne.
Among the 13 expected changes, the tenure of Rochelais Antoine Hastoy as number 10, associated with Bordelais Maxime Lucu in the fray. Matthieu Jalibert, another contender for the resumption of the post left vacant by the injury of Romain Ntamack, has evolved with the substitutes. However, it is difficult to draw any lessons from this on the hierarchy of the position, the team aligned against Fiji being far from being the one that will start the World Cup on September 8.
First minutes for Cros and Jaminet
The 3rd line wing of the XV of France François Cros, who had been treating an adductor injury for three weeks, should meanwhile make his comeback on Saturday against Fiji. Cros was injured at the end of July and was unable to play the first two preparation matches. During Tuesday’s training in Capbreton, the Toulousain wore the N° 6 blue chasuble of the holders, within a third line which also included Grégory Alldritt and Dylan Cretin.
At the back, Melvyn Jaminet should play his first official minutes since the start of preparation. In front of him, the three-quarter line should be made up of centers Jonathan Danty and Arthur Vincent, the wings being occupied by the two youngest of the group, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Émilien Gailleton.
Paul Willemse, spared last week, resumed training normally and should be associated in the 2nd line with his teammate in Montpellier Florian Verhaeghe.
On the front line, Peato Mauvaka and Reda Wardi are expected to start while there is still doubt to accompany them on the right, Uini Atonio and Thomas Laclayat having both been tried.
The possible starting XV against Fiji
Jaminet – Gailleton, Danty, Vincent, Bielle-Biarey – (o) Hastoy, (m) Lucu – Cros, Alldritt, Cretin – Verhaeghe, Willemse – Wardi, Mauvaka, Atonio (ou Laclayat).
