Baille, Danty, Jelonch… A timely return of the captains for the French XV

Weight returns to come. Thursday September 21, against Namibia and for its third match in the group stage of the World Cup, the French XV sees the return of two major players, Cyril Baille and Jonathan Danty, who missed the start of the tournament due to injuries. Also added is Anthony Jelonch, sidelined for six months due to a ruptured cruciate ligament and who returned to the field last week during the match against Uruguay.

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After the victorious but unconvincing performance of the Blues against the Teros, the return of these individuals, affected during preparation, is excellent news for the French collective, which will gain in solutions and experience.

Ghosts on several lines

The three players, major elements of the Fabien Galthié version of the Blues, will be able to bring, each on their line, qualities that the Blues have sometimes lacked. Up front, Cyril Baille will weigh in on the first row alongside his club teammate Peato Mauvaka, with his solidity (1.82 m, 117 kg) ready to conquer. But he will also inject a little dynamism into the French offensives. “We know his qualities as a player […] He has this relay role in the attacking game which allows you to set the pace.”thus deciphered the captain of the Blues, Antoine Dupont, with whom Cyril Baille also plays in Toulouse.

Jonathan Danty will also come and shake up the French attack and wake up an offensive game which remained at half mast for a large part of the match against Uruguay last week, thanks to his speed and power. “He is capable of responding to several situations, not only in attack, but also in defense, in the game without the ball.assured Fabien Galthié to the media on Tuesday. The return of the Rochelais also means the return of the association with Gaël Fickou, the privileged pair of centers of Galthié’s mandate, born during the resounding victory against the All Blacks of the Autumn 2021 tour, and aligned for the 12th time Thursday evening.

It’s no longer a return since he has already set foot on the pitch at the Pierre-Mauroy stadium, but seeing Anthony Jelonch make a second start also counts as a good return and encouraging news for the French XV. “Personally, it was very important to get back into rhythm, I had to play.”, revealed the person concerned, fifty minutes of play in the legs in Lille and ready to return to battle against Namibia. This time, in 8, in place of Grégory Alldritt, preserved, in a very solid and experienced third line.

Good for the game and for morale

Baille, Danty and Jelonch also bring the experience of major events, with 92 cumulative selections and several important moments experienced with the Blues, from the final of the 2020 Autumn Nations Cup lost in overtime to the 2022 Grand Slam , going through the record series of 14 victories. “These are players who regularly start with us, they have been in all the battles”recognized the French coach, Fabien Galthié, assisted by Thomas Ramos: “These are players who have important places in the group and who have been playing for four years now.”

With their returns, the XV of France is also getting closer to a real typical team on the field. Enough to boost the morale of the whole group. “That It’s also nice to see the guys coming back from injury. Whether it’s Anthony, Jonathan or Cyril”appreciated the back of the Blues. “We are very happy to see the guys come back to the group. It allows us to continue working at 33.” Enough to leave with a collective ready and in shape to attack the weakest opponent in the group.