The Toulousains Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack, tested positive for Covid-19 two weeks ago, will be good starters in the starting XV of the Blues which faces Italy, this Sunday at 4 p.m. at the Stade de France, in the Tournoi des Six Nations. Thirteen of the fifteen holders of the historic victory against the All Blacks (40-25) in November will start the match against the Italians.
But coach Fabien Galthié, positive for Covid, will be in solitary confinement and will follow this match from a distance. The composition of the group of 23 selected is therefore still subject to the results of the latest tests, scheduled for this Saturday.
Jalibert absent
Compared to the 15 players who started the match against New Zealand, the only changes concern the front row, with the tenure of Julien Marchand (he was injured in November) at the expense of Peato Mauvaka, back on the bench, as well than the third line, where the Lyonnais Dylan Cretin takes the place of François Cros.
On the bench, note the presence of the Bordeaux center Yoram Moefana and the back or Toulouse opener Thomas Ramos. The Bordelais Matthieu Jalibert, who is coming back from injury, is not in the group. As well as Racingman Bernard Le Roux, who is back in shape but beaten by Romain Taofifenua on the bench in the second row.
The composition of the XV of France: Jaminet – Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Villière – (o) Ntamack, (m) Dupont (cap.) – Jelonch, Alldritt, Cretin – Willemse, Woki – Baille, Marchand, Atonio. Replacements: Bamba, Mauvaka, Gros, Taofifenua, Cros, Lucu, Moefana, Ramos.