A growth test for the Blues of Galthié.
After its improved victory (37-10) but far from perfect against Italy, the XV of France challenges Ireland on Saturday (5:45 p.m.), for the shock at the top of the second day of the Six Nations Tournament.
For this match, Fabien Galthié and his staff made two changes from the team that had dominated the Nazionale.
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Read alsoNtamack: “The XV of France must raise its level by a notch or two against Ireland”
The first of them is forced and forced: Jonathan Danty was hit in the ankle on Sunday and he is replaced, in the center of the tricolor attack, by the young Yoram Moefana (21 years old, 4 caps).
The Union Bordeaux-Bègles player, author of a good start against Italy, will honor his second tenure in Blue, after taking part in the final of the unprecedented Autumn Nations Cup which was narrowly lost to the England.
He was preferred to the experienced Virimi Vakatawa (29, 30 caps), who is struggling to regain his best level after several physical glitches (ribs, knee).
The other change is in the pack.
To face the powerful and rough Irish forwards, Toulouse flanker François Cros (27, 11 caps), who has more impact in the areas of confrontation, was preferred to Lyonnais Dylan Cretin, with a more airy profile. .
With Grégory Alldritt and Anthony Jelonch, he will reform the third line which had triumphed over the New Zealanders in the fall (40-25).
The Bordelais Cameron Woki, flanker successfully converted to the second row, retains a starting place in the cage, he will be associated with Montpellier Paul Willemse.
Back in the France team after contracting the Covid, Toulouse second-line Thibaud Flament will start on the substitutes' bench.
The Blues remain on two straight wins against Ireland
Apart from that, Fabien Galthié and his assistants have bet on continuity in the front line (Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand, Uini Atonio), at the hinge with the essentials Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack, as well as for the rear triangle with Gabin Villière and Damian Penaud on the wings with Melvyn Jaminet on the back.
Ireland, 3rd in the world rankings (France is 5th), arrives at the Stade de France with a series of nine straight victories, including a prestigious one against the All Blacks (29-20), a week before that of the Blues in Saint-Denis.
The last team to beat Andy Farrell's players is... France.
It was February 14, 2021 at Aviva Stadium (13-15).
Since taking office after the 2019 World Cup in Japan, Fabien Galthié's staff has not lost against the Irish, since the Tricolores also won at the Stade de France on October 31, 2020 (35-27).
Never two without three ?
The composition of the XV of France:
Jaminet - Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Villière - (o) Ntamack, (m) Dupont (cap.) - Jelonch, Alldritt, Cros - Willemse, Woki - Atonio, Marchand, Baille
Subs:
Mauvaka, Gros, Bamba, R. Taofifenua , Flament, Cretin, Lucu, Ramos
