This was the main point to be decided for the staff of the Blues.
And it will be Matthieu Jalibert who will start as the opening half against England this Saturday (5.45 p.m.), a crucial trip for the XV of France with a view to victory in this Six Nations Tournament.
The opener of Union Bordeaux-Bègles, holder in the first two games in Italy and Ireland, was preferred to the usual number one in the hierarchy, Toulouse Romain Ntamack.
The latter, back in the French group after two months of absence caused by a double fracture of the jaw, will therefore start on the sidelines at Twickenham.
Also deprived of the trip to Rome and Dublin by a knee injury, the three-quarter center of Racing 92 Virimi Vakatawa will be a good start, associated with the Stade Français player Gaël Fickou.
The Fijian, excellent with the XV of France since the 2019 World Cup, had a brilliant match in Toulon on Saturday in the Top 14.
Le Roux replaced by Taofifenua
In the second line, the staff must do with the prejudicial absence of Bernard Le Roux, affected by a muscle injury.
The second row of Racing 92, which traditionally forms a tandem of South African origin with Paul Willemse, will be replaced by Toulonnais Romain Taofifenua.
Finally, in the third line, the management of the XV of France decided to establish Dylan Cretin alongside Captain Charles Ollivon and the irremovable Grégory Alldritt.
The Lyonnais had already started in the first match in Italy.
The composition of the Blues in England
Starting XV:
Dulin - Thomas, Vakatawa, Fickou, Penaud - (o) Jalibert, (m) Dupont - Ollivon (cap.), Alldritt, Cretin - Willemse, Taofifenua - Haouas, Marchand, Baille.
Replacements:
Chat, Gros, Aldegheri, Cazeaux, Woki, Jelonch, Serin, Ntamack.
