Fabien Galthié announced it just a few minutes after the heavy defeat at the opening of the Six Nations Tournament in Marseille on Friday against Ireland (17-38 defeat).
“There will be no big changes apart from the injured and suspended,” the coach warned, looking ahead to the thorny trip to Edinburgh this Saturday (3:15 p.m.) against Scotland.
He kept his word this Thursday morning by announcing the team composition.
Only modifications: Cameron Woki and Louis Bielle-Biarrey join the starting group.
The second row of Racing 92, replacing in Marseille, was sorely missed in the area of the touchline which had taken on water against Ireland.
He naturally returns to the forefront and also benefits from the suspension of Paul Willemse, sent off for two sweeps, shoulder to head, against the Irish and suspended for four weeks.
The Racingman thus joins the Parisian Paul Gabrillagues in the second row, the latter sliding to the right, in number 5. The young winger from Bordeaux-Bègles, for his part, takes the place of his teammate Yoram Moefana, not very comfortable in Marseille, and becoming again , him, a finisher.
The other starters against Ireland are renewed under the leadership of captain Grégory Alldritt.
Including the Maxime Lucu – Matthieu Jalibert hinge, in difficulty against the Irish.
Other appearances in Edinburgh, 3rd row Alexandre Roumat and pillar Sébastien Taofifenua take their places on the bench and should come on during the match.
The France team against Scotland:
Ramos - Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Bielle-Biarrey - (o) Jalibert, (m) Lucu - Ollivon, Alldritt (cap.), Cros - Gabrillagues, Woki - Atonio, Mauvaka, Yawn.
Substitutes:
Marchand, S. Taofifenua, Aldhegeri, Tuilagi, Roumat, Boudehent, Le Garrec, Moefana.