By Arnaud Coudry
Published 1 hour ago, Updated now
Fabien Galthié with the players of the XV of France in Marcoussis. ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT / AFP
The team which won in Wales (24-45) was brought back in its entirety to challenge the XV de la Rose on Saturday (9 p.m.) in Lyon.
Never change a winning team. As indicated on Wednesday by the chasubles observed during the high intensity training in Marcoussis, the XV of France which won on Sunday in Cardiff against the Welsh (24-45) was renewed in its entirety to face England , Saturday (9 p.m.) in Lyon, on the occasion of the 5th and final day of the Six Nations Tournament. No injuries or suspended players to report after the convincing success at the Principality Stadium. This is the first time since taking office in 2020 that the French coach has led an entire team from one match to the next.
Thus, the three novices who were launched last weekend will honor their second international cape. The second row Emmanuel Maefou (Toulouse), the center Nicolas Depoortère (UBB) and the back Léo Barré (Stade Français Paris) will play their first Crunch on Saturday against the XV de la Rose. Another neophyte, right pillar Georges-Henri Colombe (La Rochelle) will once again start on the substitutes’ bench and take over from Uini Atonio. Scrum half Nolann Le Garrec (Racing 92), man of the match against the XV du Poireau, makes his second start in a row, after being a substitute three times at the start of this 2024 Tournament.
Trust in the Le Garrec-Ramos duo
The Parisian will be associated at the hinge with Thomas Ramos (Toulouse), usual full-back, but who will play a second match at the opening after the injury to Matthieu Jalibert. Returning from injury against Wales, Thibaud Flament continues in the cage, alongside his teammate in Toulouse, Emmanuel Meafou. Another Toulouse player who retains his starting place is hooker Julien Marchand, who, after his injury, was a substitute at the start of the Tournament behind Peato Mauvaka.
Grégory Alldritt, injured in the thigh against Scotland and operational again last Sunday, will once again be the captain of the Blues. The substitutes’ bench remains 6-2 (six forwards, two backs) with the same players as Sunday in Cardiff.
The line-up against England:
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.
