The announcement of the 42 players selected foreshadowed it: the composition of this first test-match in Japan, Saturday July 2 (8 a.m., French time) has been greatly modified. Only three players, Melvyn Jaminet, Yoram Moeafana and Damian Penaud, retain their place in the victorious Grand Slam team in the spring, announced Thursday, June 30.
Your #XVdeFrance
First match of the Summer Tour, Saturday July 2 at 8 a.m. on @TF1 ! When you wake up #Don’tDoXV #JAPFRA pic.twitter.com/1uYrNxtg9S
– France Rugby (@FranceRugby) June 30, 2022
Injured during the Tournament, opener Matthieu Jalibert took advantage of Romain Ntamack’s rest to seek a starting spot. He will be accompanied by Maxime Lucu, his teammate at UBB who will celebrate his first tenure in blue. Basic men of the France team in 2020 then dismissed due to injuries or malforms, Charles Ollivon and Virimi Vakatawa will start. The Toulon flanker will, as expected, be captain.
Two players will make their national debuts. The future La Rochelle player Yoan Tanga will occupy the position of third center line, when Thomas Jolmes (UBB) will start the game in the second line. On the bench, Thomas Lavault (La Rochelle) will have the opportunity to take over for him, too, his first cape.
The composition of the Blues: Gros, Mauvaka, Bamba – Flament, Jolmes – Cretin, Ollivon (cap), Tanga – Lucu, Jalibert – Lebel, Moefana, Vakatawa, Penaud – Jaminet
The bench : Bourgarit, Priso, Falatea, Lavault, S.Tolofua, Macalou, Bap.Couilloud, Hastoy