Fabien Galthié waited for his seventh game to depart from his principle of continuity.
He who, except forfeit, renewed his same team-type since the start of the Six Nations Tournament, last February, this time made a larger rotation.
Eight changes in all from Ireland's victorious starting XV two weeks ago.
Three are not of his making but linked to the packages.
François Cros (foot fracture), Romain Ntamack (thigh contracture) and Anthony Bouthier (knee sprain) are respectively replaced by Dylan Cretin (first tenure), Matthieu Jalibert and Thomas Ramos.
The "finishers" become "beginners" ...
The other changes can be called rewards.
A turnover between the usual incumbents and replacements.
The first row is thus fully exchanged: Demba Bamba, Camille Chat and Jean-Baptiste Gros will start at Murrayfield, Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand and Mohamed Haouas, taking their places on the bench.
Ditto in the second row where Romain Taofifenua shoots with Paul Willemse.
Or when “finishers” become “beginners” ...
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Finally, in the three-quarter line, Teddy Thomas, restored, takes his place in the wing, which allows Gaël Fickou to return to the center, to the detriment of Arthur Vincent.
Note the appearances on the bench of Bordeaux flanker Cameron Woki and Toulon opening half Louis Carbonel.
The latter, if he enters during the game, will honor his first selection.
The starting XV
: Ramos - Thomas, Vakatawa, Fickou, Rattez - Jalibert, Dupont - Alldritt, Ollivon (cap), Cretin - Taofifenua, Le Roux - Bamba, Chat, Gros
Replacements
: Baille, Marchand, Haouas, Willemse, Woki, Couilloud, Carbonel, Vincent
Read also
Calendar and results Autumn Nations Cup 2020/2021