To obtain the holding of six tests (instead of three), the president of the FFR, Bernard Laporte, had to make concessions to his counterpart in the League, Paul Goze.
No more than three match sheets per player.
The coach therefore said goodbye to twenty players last Sunday, the evening of Scotland-France, to rebuild a selection in a hurry.
"We are starting from zero," said Fabien Galthié, fatalistic but not resigned.
It is therefore an experimental XV of France who will appear on the lawn of the Stade de France on Saturday (9 p.m.).
With eleven novices (including five starters), unexpected returns (Dulin, Danty) and a new captain, Baptiste Serin.
Magnifying glass on four holders.
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Eleven novices, a Bordeaux hinge, a pack with 13 selections: focus on the composition of the XV of France
Pesenti to hit hard
In a completely revamped pack (the eight holders and the usual substitutes have all exhausted their credit), which will accumulate ... 13 small selections at kick-off, Baptiste Pesenti, the solid second-row from Pau (1.95 m, 120 kg ) will make his debut for the French team.
With the mission to live up to his reputation as a player who hurts on impacts and tackles.
"It brings real guarantees in the combat sector," explained the manager of the Blues, Raphaël Ibanez.
We need a player like that in the face of tough opposition, a player who plays hard in the service of his teammates.
" A warrior.
But not only.
“He's got third-line training.
He is mobile and he has hands too, ”says Galthié.
End of sanction for Macalou
Finally, the supporters of Stade Français must have said.
For three seasons, the third row has chained high-level performances in the Parisian jersey.
A perfect physical condition that allows him to be present in all four corners of the field, with top speed to compete with the best wingers and a big appetite when it comes to tackling.
Sekou Macalou has already experienced the joy of the selection, called up at the end of 2017 by Guy Novès to face Japan (a defeat).
Why others have not followed?
Because he pays a double fault: that of having taken part in the night out of the Blues which had degenerated in Edinburgh in early 2018 and, even more, of not having denounced when the Scottish police, the next morning, had embarked Yacouba Camara in its place.
The long shelving is over.
XV of France: Serin-Jalibert, the Bordeaux connection
Barracks from 7 to 15
It's the funny story of this XV of France.
For three seasons, Jean-Pascal Barraque, the former three-quarter multi-purpose center, passed through Biarritz, Toulouse or La Rochelle, had changed direction.
A federal contract to become the captain of the French team at 7. With talent.
But the Covid-19 epidemic has frozen the international circuit.
So that he remains in shape for the Olympic deadline, postponed by a year, the FFR lent him until January 2021 in Clermont.
Where it connects the tenures (5, and two registered tests) and the remarkable performances.
To the point that ASM would like to keep the 29-year-old player trained in Concarneau.
A solution satisfying all parties would be in the pipeline ...
Dulin the return
29 selections from 2012 to 2017. Then… nothing.
The death of his dad, the injuries which follow one another, Brice Dulin had disappeared from the radar.
To revive, the rear left Racing to join La Rochelle last summer.
And gradually to find its best level.
Bouthier and Ramos unavailable, he is back at 30 years old.
Recalled to "channel a little the ardor of these young people".
And take the opportunity to shake up the hierarchy?
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XV of France: Dulin back "to channel the ardor of young people"