In Marcoussis
Never change a winning team.
If we rely - as is usually the case - on the chasubles observed during the high intensity training this Wednesday in Marcoussis, the XV of France which won on Sunday in Cardiff against the Welsh (24- 45) should be renewed in its entirety on Saturday (9 p.m.) to face England, on the occasion of the 5th and final day of the Six Nations Tournament.
The French staff has no injuries to report after the success at the Principality Stadium.
Thus, the three novices who were launched last weekend will honor their second international cape.
The second row Emmanuel Maefou (Toulouse), the center Nicolas Depoortère (UBB) and the back Léo Barré (Stade Français Paris) had, this Wednesday, a blue chasuble of holder.
Another neophyte, right pillar Georges-Henri Colombe (La Rochelle) should again start on the substitutes' bench and take over from Uini Atonio.
Scrum half Nolann Le Garrec (Racing 92), man of the match against the XV du Poireau, will make his second start in a row, after being a substitute three times at the start of this 2024 Tournament.
The Parisian will be associated at the hinge with Thomas Ramos (Toulouse), usual full-back, but who will play a second match at the opening after the injury to Matthieu Jalibert.
Returning from injury against Wales, Thibaud Flament continues in the cage, alongside his teammate in Toulouse, Emmanuel Meafou.
Another Toulouse player who retains his starting place is hooker Julien Marchand, who, after his injury, was a substitute at the start of the Tournament behind Peato Mauvaka.
Grégory Alldritt, injured in the thigh against Scotland and operational again last Sunday, will once again be the captain of the Blues.
The substitutes' bench should remain 6-2 (six forwards, two backs) with the same players as Sunday in Cardiff.
The probable line-up against England:
Barré - Penaud, Fickou, Depoortère, Bielle-Biarrey - (o) Ramos, (m) Le Garrec - Ollivon, Alldritt (cap.), Cros - Meafou, Flament - Atonio, Marchand, Baille.
Substitutes: Mauvaka, S. Taofifenua, Colombe, R. Taofifenua, Roumat, Boudehent, Lucu, Moefana.