France's XV coach Fabien Galthié and his manager Raphaël Ibanez have remained faithful to the principles that have guided them since the start of the Six Nations Tournament. To face Wales this Saturday in Cardiff (5:45 pm), the duo renewed with one exception the team which had started against Italy (35-22) on February 9 at Stade de France.
To replace Vincent Rattez, victim of a fibula fracture, the Parisian center Gaël Fickou (25 years old, 53 caps) slips to the wing. And the center of Racing 92 Virimi Vakatawa, package (triceps) against Italy, finds its place alongside Montpeliérain Arthur Vincent, former captain of the under 20s.
The biggest upheavals are finally found on the sidelines where the Bordelais Jefferson Poirot disappears from the scoresheet. The one who was announced as one of the relay on the ground of the new captain Charles Ollivon is paying the return of the racingman Camille Chat, package against Italy (calf). Toulousain Thomas Ramos is back on the bench and will cover the rear position, a role formerly devolved to Rattez.
After two initial successes against England (24-17) and Italy, the XV of France attacks the winner of the last Tournament in a stadium where it has not won since 2010.
The composition
Bouthier - Thomas, Vakatawa, Vincent, Fickou - Dupont (m), Ntamack (o) - Cros, Alldritt, Ollivon (cap.) - Le Roux, Willemse - Haouas, Marchand, Baille.
Substitutes: Big, Cat, Bamba, Taofifenua, Cretin, Serin, Jalibert, Ramos.