The Blues to launch the 2024 Six Nations Tournament are known.
The coach of the XV of France Fabien Galthié revealed on Wednesday his team selected to face Ireland on Friday evening (9 p.m.) in Marseille, kicking off the cycle which should lead the tricolors to the 2027 World Cup after the failure of the World Cup 2023 at home, completed in the quarter-final against South Africa.
An unsurprising composition given the week's training in Marcoussis, with the tenure of Paul Gabrillagues on the second line and Yoram Moefana on the wing, and the preference given to Peato Mauvaka as hooker, sending one of the executives Julien Marchand on the sidelines.
Peato Mauvaka starting in place of Julien Marchand
He had an impressive World Cup and was undoubtedly the best Frenchman in the infuriating loss against the Springboks.
Peato Mauvaka will once again start at hooker against the XV du Trèfle.
But this time, in the absence of the one who has been number 1 in the hierarchy of the position since the start of the Galthié era: his club partner at Stade Toulouse, Julien Marchand, returned at the end of December from his injury in the match opening of the World Cup against the All Blacks in September.
“Peato performed very well during the World Cup, he took over from Julien as
starter
,” underlines Fabien Galthié.
Julien returns, he has had surgery, but he is able to wear the jersey.
I remind you that being a finisher means finishing the match and therefore having to raise your arms (in the event of victory).
This is the ultimate responsibility for me.
»
🇫🇷⚡️☘️ 𝑹𝒆𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒛-𝒗𝒐𝒖𝒔 in Marseille!
🔥#XVdeFrance #NeFaisonsXV #FRAIRL pic.twitter.com/9nYG34lTGZ
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) January 31, 2024
Gabrillagues and Moefana entry
The second row of Stade Français had not worn the tricolor jersey since the 2019 World Cup. The three-quarter center of Bordeaux-Bègles was intended to compensate for the possible absence of Jonathan Danty or Gaël Fickou.
Both will, however, be lined up from the start against Ireland at the Vélodrome, with Moefana shifted to the wing in place of Louis Bielle-Biarrey, French revelation of the World Cup.
A way for the staff to flex their muscles in view of the announced fight against a team which achieved the Grand Slam last year.
“There are always reflections, with different profiles,” underlines the new coach of the French attack, Patrick Arlettaz.
Yoram is in great shape with his club.
He has physical potential and significant penetration capacity.
He is capable of chaining tasks and putting pressure on the rucks.
Paul also has this ability to chain tasks and tackles.
The Irish are going to offer a lot of sequences, we will have to resist that, then go for this match with the finishers.
» “We are preparing to tackle 200 times, to compete for 200 rucks without possession,” says Fabien Galthié.
Lucu instead of Dupont
He will be the one responsible for replacing Antoine Dupont on the field.
If Grégory Alldritt has recovered the captain's armband of the XV of France, it is Maxime Lucu who will wear the jersey decorated with the new at kick-off, while the star of the Blues has chosen to skip the Six Nations Tournament to participate in the preparation of the French rugby sevens team for the Olympics.
Read alsoSix Nations Tournament 2024: the complete competition schedule
“Max has been there since almost the start of the mandate,” says Fabien Galthié about the Bordeaux player.
He has always been good, even very good.
It is up to him to take charge with serenity.
Nolann Le Garrec (substitute Friday) has been with us since the Japan tour (in 2022).
He was very good in training, but never took the field.
He is performing well with Racing 92 and will be ready to take over.
»