In Marcoussis
The situation is serious. The proof, for the first time in 48 matches – the 48th will be played on Sunday in Cardiff – the coach of the XV of France has not given any indication on the team which will be lined up against Wales. In the ritual game of the chasubles – in blue the holders, in white the finishers and those who failed the match sheet – Fabien Galthié shuffled the cards. Mixing almost certain starters with possible entrants, possibly promoted replacements with novices who could dream of a first cap at the Millennium. It’s up to everyone to prove themselves, to show their determination, to earn their place. The end of the “duty of memory”, of the executive bonus?
Impossible therefore, five days before this crucial meeting to try to relaunch in a Six Nations Tournament which is currently very dull (rout in Marseille against Ireland, miraculous victory in Edinburgh, pitiful draw against Italy in Lille), to set trends. Continuity again? Greater turnover? Knowing that it will be necessary to numerically replace Matthieu Jalibert, injured, and Jonathan Danty, suspended.
If Thomas Ramos holds the rope to take the opening, the pair of centers is still uncertain, the combinations tested on the Marcoussis field making any prediction risky. On one side Depoortère and Fickou, on the other Gailleton and Barassi, the fifth candidate, Yoram Moefana, training on the wing.
The only lessons from this very muscular, high-intensity session – Fabien Galthié on one side and Patrick Arlettaz on the other, each leading their group with directive force and a tone that does not lend itself to joking -, the phenomenon Posolo Tuilagi, suffering, n was not present.
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Toulouse hooker Peato Mauvaka was training separately. Finally, pillar Georges-Henri Colombe and fly-half Antoine Hastoy, who played Sunday evening in the Top 14 with Stade Rochelais, were preserved. As is customary for the Blues, the last on deck before a rally, two days of physical regeneration are granted to them. This left 30 Blues pushed to convince the coach and his assistants.
The two XVs lined up in training:
Blue bibs: 15. Lebel – 14. U20, 13. Fickou, 12 Depoortère, 11. Bielle-Biarrey – 10. Gibert, 9. Lucu – 8. Alldritt, 7. Abadie, 6. Boudehent – 5. Ro. Taofifenua, 4. Woki – 3. Aldegheri, 2. Merchant, 1. Yawn. 17. Priso.
White chasubles: 15. Barré – 14. Penaud, 13. Barassi, 12. Gailleton, 11. Moefana – 10 Ramos, 9. Le Garrec – 8. Roumat, 7. Ollivon, 6. Cros – 5. Meafou, 4. Flament – 3. Atonio, 2. Lamothe, 1. Séb. Taofifenua.
SEE ALSO – Rafael Leão’s magnificent goal with AC Milan against Atalanta on February 25 (1-1)