Woki holder in the second row, a pair of Danty-Fickou centers for the opening of the Six Nations Tournament

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The composition of the XV of France was announced on Friday, two days before the first match at the Stade de France.

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The opening of the Six Nations Tournament is fast approaching! For this first day, the Blues face Italy on Sunday (4 p.m.) at the Stade de France. The composition of the XV of France was announced with in particular the third-line wing Cameron Woki (Union Bordeaux Bègles) moved to the second line – as during the victory against the All Blacks in the fall -, and a pair of centers formed by Jonathan Danty (La Rochelle) and Gael Fickou (Racing 92). Of the fifteen winners of New Zealand in November, thirteen are in the starting team against the Transalpins.

These Tricolores, New Zealanders who fell, have gleaned many points there, enough to freeze a little more the contours of what looks like a typical team. Only the hooker Julien Marchand – injured for the shock against the Blacks – and Dylan Cretin in the third row invite themselves instead of Petao Mauvaka and François Cros. They will start on the bench.

In the role of finishers, a name dear to Fabien Galthié and his staff, we can also note the absence of UBB opener Matthieu Jalibert. The Bordelo-Béglais had joined the preparation of the XV of France in a second time after his thigh injury contracted against the Scarlets, in the Champions Cup, on January 16. “Matthieu Jalibert is considered a bit fair: he had a succession of injuries, he is fine but it was still necessary to take time”, justified the coach.

Scheduled at a press conference, the announcement of the composition of the XV of France was finally made via a press release after coach Fabien Galthié tested positive for Covid-19. The boss of the Blues is isolated and will be absent for the first match of his team, Sunday. He will be able to return next week, from February 8 or 10.


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