Two days before the start of the autumn tour against Australia (Saturday 9 p.m. at the Stade de France), Fabien Galthié, the coach of the XV of France, revealed his first team composition.
Back from injury, the Toulousain Romain Ntamack will hold his place at the opening, while his club teammate, Cyril Baille, will start as the left pillar against the Wallabies.
Another Toulousain in form at the start of the season, the back Thomas Ramos will start with number 15. The question of competition with his club partner Melvyn Jaminet was quickly decided, since the latter is currently affected in the malleolus and ligaments of the left ankle.
Ramos and Ntamack will share the scorer role.
Operated on adductors in early August, Baille however recovers the flocked tunic of number 1, he was preferred to Dani Priso in the absence of Jean-Baptiste Gros (injured) and Reda Wardi (suspended).
"Cyril is the King here
," said Stade Toulousain hooker Peato Mauvaka
.
He resumed against Bayonne
(for 34 minutes during the 26-22 defeat, editor's note)
, but we knew he could resume earlier, he didn't want to take any risks.
I find it good.
And when you see everyone here again, you're happy, you forget the intensity of the sessions."
Woki-Flament, “light” coupling
The tricolor staff also had to deal with another notable absentee, the second line of Montpellier, Paul Willemse, hit in the thigh and released on Wednesday evening.
The French champion with the MHR had not participated in Wednesday's training due to a
"little discomfort in the thigh"
, explained Thibault Giroud, the tricolor performance director, before the announcement of his package. .
Read alsoRomain Ntamack: "We still have a lot of room for improvement between now and the World Cup"
In his absence, it is another Toulousain, Thibaud Flament, who will start in the cage, associated with Cameron Woki.
For a rather “light” hitch against the Australians.
“It's one more element in touch,
explained Woki.
He is good in the game, versatile second or third line.
We look a lot alike and we look like the Australian second lines.
Except that the Wallabies could count on the Stade Rochelais bulldozer, Will Skelton.
Versatile Macalou on the bench
Fabien Galthié and his assistants have chosen to compose a bench with six forwards and two backs.
But, Willemse's package and Flament's tenure freed up a place on the substitutes' bench for Sekou Macalou.
The Parisian has the advantage of being able to play in the third row or, in the eyes of the staff, on the wing.
Read alsoCameron Woki: "The XV of France has changed its game for this tour"
In the absence of Toulonnais Gabin Villière (ankle complications), the staff chose to field the versatile Yoram Moefana (UBB) on the wing.
The latter has never disappointed each time he has been called upon, whether in the center or on a wing, he was preferred to the Toulousain Matthis Lebel, author of a good start to the exercise with the Stade .
It should be noted in the post of right pillar that the Bordeaux Sipili Falatea was preferred, as a replacement, to Mohamed Haouas, yet essential at the start of Fabien Galthié's mandate.
The composition of the XV of France:
Ramos - Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Moefana - (o) Ntamack, (m) Dupont (cap) - Ollivon, Alldritt, Jelonch - Flament, Woki - Atonio, Marchand, Baille Subs
:
Mauvaka, Priso, Falatea, R. Taofifenua, Geraci, Macalou, Lucu, Jalibert