The coach of the XV of France, Fabien Galthié, unveiled this Thursday the team composition which will face England on Saturday (5.45 p.m.), at Twickenham, on behalf of the fourth day of the Six Nations Tournament.
The French staff chose to start Matthieu Jalibert (Bordeaux-Bègles) at the opening, rather than Romain Ntamack (Toulouse), who only resumed competition last weekend after two months of absence because of a double jaw fracture.
In the center, Virimi Vakatawa (Racing 92) is back, after being hit in the knee in January.
The Racingman resumed competition last Saturday against Toulon and had shown to his advantage.
At the third wing position, Dylan Cretin (Lyon) was preferred to Anthony Jelonch (Castres).
Note the tenure of Romain Taofifenua (Toulon), in the absence of Bernard Leroux, victim of a strained thigh.
The composition of the XV of France against England:
Baille, Marchand, Haouas - R. Taofifenua, Willemse - Ollivon (cap), Alldritt, Cretin - (m) Dupont, (o) Jalibert - Thomas, Fickou, Vakatawa, Penaud - Dulin
Substitutes:
Chat, gros, Aldegheri, Cazeaux, Woki, Jelonch, Serin, Ntamack
Read also
The XV of France "knows what awaits him in England", warns Laurent Labit
