6 Nations Tournament: Le Garrec, Barré, Depoortère and Meafou starting against Wales… Galthié hears the voice of change

Jalibert absent, Thomas Ramos devrait être aligné à l'ouverture, dimanche au pays de Galles. EPA – TERESA SUAREZ

Le Garrec, Barré, Depoortère and Meafou holders… The XV of France should open its doors to several rotations, this Sunday, to challenge the Welsh. 

Léo Barré at the back, Nicolas Depoortère in the center, a hinge Le Garrec-Ramos, Emmanuel Meafou and Thibaud Flament in the second line, Julien Marchand at the heel: the XV of France should complete eight changes against Wales on Sunday during the 4th day of the 6 Nations Tournament.

Driven by circumstances (injury to fly-half Matthieu Jalibert, suspension of center Jonathan Danty, poor form of scrum half Maxime Lucu…) and the results, coach Fabien Galthié should significantly overhaul his XV departure for Cardiff, two weeks after the pitiful draw against Italy (13-13).

Ramos at the opening

Back and scorer Thomas Ramos (28 years old, 34 caps) should slide to the opening, where he should be aligned alongside Racingman Nolann Le Garrec (21 years old, 3 sel.) for his first start in Blue. Ramos would be replaced by Stade français fullback Léo Barré (21 years old, 0 selection), who will experience his international baptism of fire.

Another probable first, that of the colossus of Toulouse Emmanuel Meafou (25 years old, 0 selection). The Australian, naturalized at the end of the year and injured in a knee, should experience his first start alongside his club teammate Thibaud Flament (26 years old, 24 selections), also back from injury (foot). They will undoubtedly replace Racingman Cameron Woki and Perpignan Posolo Tuilagi (ill), sent back to their clubs the day before.

The probable French XV team against Wales

Barré – Penaud, Fickou, Depoortère, Bielle-Biarrey – (o) Ramos, (m) Le Garrec – Ollivon, Alldritt (cap.), Cros – Meafou, Flament – Atonio, Marchand, Baille.

Replacements: Mauvaka, S. Taofifenua, Colombe, R. Taofifenua, Roumat, Boudehent, Lucu, Moefana

In the center, Nicolas Depoortère (21 years old, 0 sel.) is expected to start, alongside the experienced Racing 92 player Gaël Fickou (29 years old, 88 sel.), after a great start to the season under the colors of the UBB. He would replace Rochelais Jonathan Danty, suspended five weeks after his exclusion against Italy.

Return of Captain Alldritt

After three matches on the bench, Julien Marchand (28 years old, 35 selections) seems set to regain his starting place at hooker, at the expense of his teammate Peato Mauvaka. He had not started with the Blues since the opening match of the World Cup against New Zealand (27-13).

Also note the expected returns of third row and captain Grégory Alldritt (26 years old, 47 selections), injured in the leg against Scotland (20-16), and of the & #39;winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey (20 years old, 9 selection), victim of a stiff neck before Italy.

On the bench, probably organized in a 6-2 (six forwards, two backs), pillar Georges-Henri Colombe (25 years old) could experience his first cape if he comes into play. Heavily beaten by Ireland (37-18), the Blues followed up with a happy victory in Scotland (20-16) and a pitiful draw against Italy (13-13).

They will try to redress the situation in Cardiff against the Leek XV, beaten during the first three days of the 2024 Tournament. The composition of the French XV will be announced on Friday at midday.< /p>