In Aix-en-Provence
“Sunday, we begin our classic week until the match against Italy,” warned the French staff. Under a hot sun (still 30 degrees at the start of training at 5:30 p.m.), the distribution of the bibs was therefore particularly scrutinized for the return to the field after two days of rest.
Among the probable starters on Friday evening in Lyon for the last match of the group stage, decisive for qualification, we found Charles Ollivon, recovered from his calf discomfort, Anthony Jelonch, preferred to François Cros, Grégory Alldritt, free of his pain the knee which forced him to forfeit against Namibia, or the young winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who seems to have permanently got the better of Gabin Villière.
Under the eyes of Antoine Dupont, doing a fitness bike in the shadow of the tent reserved for bodybuilding, Maxime Lucu wore chasuble 9. Preferred to Baptiste Couilloud, the UBB scrum half should therefore form the hinge with his club teammate, Matthieu Jalibert. Stade Toulousain hooker Peato Mauvaka was with the starters while his teammates Julien Marchand – injured in the hamstring in the 11th minute of the opening match – and Dorian Aldegheri were excused from training.
Which should give the following team composition against Italy: 15. Ramos – 14. Penaud, 13. Fickou, 12. Danty, 11 Bielle-Biarrey – 10. Jalibert, 9. Lucu – 8. Alldritt, 7 . Ollivon, 6. Jelonch – 5. Flament, 4. Woki – 3. Atonio, 2. Mauvaka, 1. Yawn.
The composition will be officially announced on Wednesday at 3 p.m., from Parc OL. With the name of its captain (Ollivon holding the rope in front of Jelonch and Alldritt) and those of the eight finishers who will enter the match against the Italians on Friday evening.