Jalibert injured, Danty suspended, returns to the second row… What changes for the Blues against Wales?

With the absences of the fly-half and the three-quarter center, at least two changes are expected in the starting XV for the Blues’ next match, March 10 in Cardiff.

When it comes to restarting a faulty machine, should you change just one part, or tackle the entire gear? Mechanic Fabien Galthié and his associates have ten days, between now and the trip to Wales, Sunday March 10, to find the parade and get their French XV back on track.

“Rugby is not Star Ac’, it is not Koh Lanta, the players are not there by chance”, proclaimed Fabien Galthié before the reception of Italy. Will this dishonorable draw (13-13) and the deficiencies displayed in broad daylight force the coach to bring in new blood? A shake-up in Cardiff seems unlikely – and could seem like a poisoned chalice for newbies – but marginal adjustments, constrained or chosen, are expected.

Bring up Thomas Ramos at the opening?

Coming out with a knee injury against Italy, Matthieu Jalibert is unavailable until the end of the Tournament, according to information from The Team that Franceinfo: Sport is able to confirm. The Bordeaux-Béglais opener, not really convincing in the first three matches, still leaves a void in a position already deprived of Romain Ntamack. Rather than the second opener on the initial list, Antoine Gibert (26 years old), never included on a match sheet, the repositioning of Thomas Ramos looks like a natural option.

The Toulouse player, usual full-back, occupied this role on Sunday after Jalibert’s injury, without much success. But he is the official No. 10 at Stade Toulouse while awaiting the return of Ntamack and has the advantage of “lived” so dear to Galthié (34 caps at 28). If he were to come up at the opening, his place at the back would be up for grabs. Downgraded since the 2022 Grand Slam, Toulonnais Melvyn Jaminet would emerge as the natural candidate. In Cardiff, where we imagine the strategic option of dispossession first, his powerful kicking game would do good.

With this forced change to opening, it is unlikely that the hinge will be completely remodeled. Even in difficulty and replaced twice before the 50th minute, which Galthié had never done for a scrum half, apart from injury, Maxime Lucu should maintain the confidence of the staff and Nolann Le Garrec remain on the bench.

Variety in the center?

Less dashing this winter, the experienced pair of centers Jonathan Danty-Gaël Fickou was called into question. It will be reshaped by force of circumstances, with the suspension for five weeks of Rochelais, excluded against Italy. Yoram Moefana (23 years old, 26 caps) is logically expected, in a less “destructive” and more explosive. But the New Caledonian center, in good shape with Bordeaux-Bègles, is struggling to convince in Blue despite the repeated confidence of the staff.

It will not be eternal, especially since the next generation is hitting hard. The profiles of young second centers Emilien Gailleton (20 years old, one selection) and Nicolas Depoortere (21 years old, never played) are attractive. Until then, the Palois and the Girondin continue the back and forth between Marcoussis and the South-West without having a chance. A tenure for one of the two in Cardiff turns out to be very unlikely, especially as it would lead to a replacement of Fickou as first center, while he is fixed in n°13 since 2021. But starting Moefana would free up a place on the bench, which could go to Gailleton or Depoortere, while waiting for better.

The return of executives to the cage?

This is the biggest project at the start of the Tournament. A fourth team in as many matches could be tested, although the second line of Cameron Woki and Posolo Tuilagi was one of the few satisfactions against Italy. Both injured in January, Toulouse players Thibaud Flament (toe) and Emmanuel Meafou (knee) returned to club training on February 20. Too tight to face Clermont last weekend, they applied for the derby against Castres on Saturday. And will, barring a relapse, be fit to play in Cardiff eight days later.

The complementarity between the aerial Flament (2.03 m, 116 kg) and the colossus Meafou (2.03 m, 145 kg), accustomed to playing together at club level, is expected at international level. The second city, naturalized in the fall, would finally celebrate its first selection. Since the pairs are established, it remains to be seen which of Woki-Tuilagi and Flament-Meafou will start and finish. Without taking Romain Taofifenua out of the equation, described as “best impact player of the world” by the forwards coach, William Servat, a month ago.