Rugby World Cup: Blues with Dupont and Netmac, Genesis against Scotland

The French XV continues its preparations for the World Cup, which will be played on its soil next month (September 8 – October 28). The next deadline is against Scotland, this Saturday (9:05pm) in Saint-Etienne.

On Thursday, coach Fabien Galletti announced the formation of the France group that will face the fifteenth de Chardonne on Saturday. As expected, the frames are back, as is the Dupont-Ntamack hinge. The Blues’ second half, Antoine Dupont, who was retained last weekend at Murrayfield, also reprises his role as captain.

When announcing the selection of 23 players, Fabian Galletti dismissed talk of a “star squad”. “We have a vision of transformation. Our team is built on the experience they had before and on the preparations. We stick to our expectations, taking into account the physical condition of the moment. We have physiological goals, rugby goals and collective experience. Today there is no more premium, you have to prepare for the World Cup. »

Paul Bodhunt reset

The Blues had to deal with the five injured (Kroos, Toffenoa, Tanga, Bamba and Willemse) in their pack. Woki-Flamment thus won in the second row, with Verhaeghe and Chalureau on the bench. At the back, executives Olivone and Aldrete will start their first prep match at the third line, tied for scouting Paul Bodient who continues. Toulouse’s first line has been lined up at 100% (Bale-Marchand-Aldeguerre), with Oene Atunio on the bench.

The three-quarter streak is the 2022 Grand Slam streak (Penaud-Fickou-Danty-Villière), with Thomas Ramos top scorer, who won the spot. This will be the first game in the blue for winger Gabin Villiers, who is often injured, since that famous fixture against England in March 2022. “For him the feelings are very, very good,” Fabien Galthe affirmed.

On the bench, the coach selected 6 forwards and 2 three-quarters (Lucu and Bielle-Biarrey), Sekou Macalou kept this position as a hybrid replacement for the third line winger. Pierre Bourguet was preferred to Peato Mauvaka as Julien Marchand’s replacement in Tailgating.

Is the team close enough to play their World Cup opener against the New Zealand All Blacks on September 8 at the Stade de France? “It’s impossible to say,” swears Fabian Galletti. We’re not even halfway through preparation. In a game, anything can happen, injuries or otherwise. We’re preparing for it. In the meantime, go to Geoffroy-Guichard.