The coach of the XV of France, Fabien Galthié, revealed this Thursday morning the list of 42 players selected to prepare for the trip to Scotland Friday March 11, fourth round of the 2022 Six Nations Tournament. As expected, seven players from Stade Rochelais are part of this expanded group.
Unsurprisingly, the holders victorious in Scotland are renewed. Uini Atonio, Gregory Alldritt and Jonathan Danty will be in Marcoussis from next week, but are exempt from the Top 14 match this Saturday against CA Brive at the Marcel-Deflandre stadium.
On the other hand, three other Rochelais are at the disposal of Ronan O’Gara and will join the base camp of the XV of France in Essonne after the meeting against the Corréziens. In this case, the 2nd line Thomas Lavaultthe 3rd line Paul Boudehentand the center or winger Jules Favre.
Dulin… or the other
A maritime seventh is part of the group of 42, but navigates in troubled waters. Brice Dulin has not played with his club or with the Blues for two weeks. The La Rochelle back was a “reservist” in Scotland and witnessed the convincing victory of the Blues at Murrayfield in the stands. A status that raises some questions.
The player had mentioned this “frustrating” situation at the microphone of our colleagues from Canal + after the victory against ASM Clermont in the league. “We’re quite sad when we don’t have the chance to play at the weekend and afterwards we have to manage these round trips, but in clubs, there are also players who train every week and who don’t play. not, and it’s also thanks to them that we manage to be efficient because they make us work the week. After in the selection, it’s even worse, because the group is even smaller. It’s frustrating when you go back and forth and you have to try to stay level, to continue training at 100%. And then the opportunities will come. We are happy when we are on the pitch, but there is a little sadness when ‘we have to go home.”
Will he be available to face Brive on Saturday? The question remains in abeyance. The official composition of the group will be delivered this Friday evening at 6 p.m.
Deprived of one of its French internationals, Stade Rochelais continues its delicate Top 6 operationsynonymous with qualification for the final stages.
After his narrow but crucial victory in Pau, we will have to confirm on Saturday against Brive. A cleaver match to live in full on France Blue La Rochelle.