For their third match of the Tournament, Sunday against Italy, the Blues present a XV similar to the one victorious in Scotland on February 10, with two exceptions.
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It is not yet the great revolution. Despite two very perfect first matches against Ireland (17-38 defeat) and Scotland (painful 20-16 victory), Fabien Galthié and his staff maintained their confidence in their managers for the third match of the Six Nations Tournament against Italy, Sunday February 25 in Lille (4 p.m., live on France 2 and france.tv). The Bordeaux hinge Maxime Lucu-Matthieu Jalibert is thus renewed, like the entire three-quarter line.
There are only two changes to note. One was expected, since it resulted from the loss of Grégory Alldritt, who was injured in the left thigh in Edinburgh. The Rochelais is replaced numerically by his club teammate Paul Boudehent (8 caps), holder in the third wing line. This change led to the replacement of François Cros, usual flanker, in number 8. The Toulouse player (29 caps) never started in this position in the French team, but held it several times at club. Charles Ollivon regains the captaincy.
The other change concerns the second row, still without Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou. Substitute during the first two matches, Posolo Tuilagi (19 years old) will honor his very first start with the Blues. The Perpignan player will form the team with Cameron Woki. Paul Gabrillagues, back in the selection at the start of the Tournament after four years of absence, pays the price for this choice.
The neophyte Abadie on the bench
The Stade Français player does not appear on the match sheet, since the experienced Romain Taofifenua (33 years old, 49 caps), absent against Ireland and Scotland, is fit again. The powerful second line returns to its traditional role asimpact player. On this 6-2 bench (six forwards, two backs), there is another neophyte: Toulon third row Esteban Abadie (26 years old), very prominent this season in the Top 14 and who should experience his first international minutes.
The composition of the XV of France: Ramos – Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Bielle-Biarrey – (o) Jalibert, (m) Lucu – (cap) Ollivon, Cros, Boudehent – Tuilagi, Woki – Atonio, Mauvaka, Baille.
On the bench : Marchand, S. Taofifenua, Aldegheri, R. Taofifenua, Roumat, Abadie, Le Garrec, Moefana.