The cards will be redistributed in Cardiff.
The injury to fly-half Matthieu Jalibert, affected in the left knee and absent for the end of the Six Nations Tournament, then the suspension of Jonathan Danty (four weeks for a high tackle) already implied changes after the pitiful draw against Italy (13-13) on February 25 in Villeneuve-d'Ascq (North).
The more than laborious results of the French XV since the start of the competition (17-38 defeat against Ireland on February 2 in Marseille and 16-20 victory on the wire and contested in Scotland on February 10) have apparently he encouraged Fabien Galthié to consider significantly reshaping his team to face Wales, in Cardiff, this Sunday (4 p.m.).
A big first, this Tuesday in Marcoussis (Essonne), the coach blurred the lines by mixing the possible holders within two groups, one dressed in blue chasubles, the other in white chasubles.
“It’s a choice of the staff, it’s a way of stimulating us,” explains Racingman Gaël Fickou.
“This allows us to feel the emulation of the group,” underlines Laurent Sempéré, the assistant coach in charge of the sidelines.
No one yet knows if he will start on Sunday.
It's not a reaction (to the draw against Italy), it's a moment where we can listen a little more to the group.
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Thomas Ramos at the opening
Thomas Ramos carried out the entire training with the number 10 on his back, a position he occupies in Toulouse in the absence of Romain Ntamack, proof that he could slide to the opening and leave his place at the back to the young Parisian Léo Barré (21 years old), impressive since the start of the season with Stade Français, leader of the Top 14. At the center of the French attack, Gaël Fickou could be accompanied by Nicolas Depoortère (21 years old), author of an 80m test on Saturday against Racing 92.
Within the pack, second row Emmanuel Meafou could, like Léo Barré, experience both his first selection and his first tenure.
The 25-year-old Toulouse giant (2.03 m; 145 kg), originally from Australia, obtained French nationality last November and he should have already participated at the start of the Tournament if a sprain in his left knee contracted in the Coupe d' Europe had not stopped him.
Alongside him, Racingman Cameron Woki should keep his place, with Toulouse's Thibaud Flament, also returning from injury, taking up a position on the bench.
Posolo Tuilagi was ill and did not take part in the training session.
During this fourth round of the Tournament, captain Grégory Alldritt, forfeited against Italy for a deep cut in his left thigh, should return to his post like Bordeaux-Bègles winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, forced to rest there two weeks old due to a stiff neck.
Peato Mauvaka, who trained separately due to rib pain, could step aside in favor of his Toulouse teammate Julien Marchand.
The possible team against Wales:
Barré – Penaud, Fickou, Depoortère, Bielle-Biarrey – (o) Ramos, (m) Lucu – Ollivon, Alldritt (cap.), Cros – Meafou, Woki – Atonio, Marchand, Yawn.