XV of France: the thirty-somethings in force for the reception of Ireland at the opening of the 6 Nations Tournament

Jonathan Danty, Romain Taofifenua ou encore Charles Ollivon ont dépassé les 30 ans. MIDI LIBRE – Jean-Michel Mart

Le staff de l'équipe de France de rugby dévoile ce mercredi 31 janvier l'équipe qui affrontera l'Irlande à Marseille vendredi (21h), en ouverture du Tournoi des 6 Nations.

The first composition of the post-World Cup Tournament always has that little something extra. What new players will the staff bring to us ? Who are the new boys on whom we will be able to count to dream, finally, of a world title ?

In 2008, Marc Lièvremont launched Trinh-Duc, Parra, Picamoles, Médard and Mermoz. In 2012, Philippe Saint-André relaunched Michalak and Nyanga, giving the will-o'-the-wisps Fofana and Fickou a chance. In 2016, Guy Novès was banking on Bézy, Vakatawa and Gourdon. Finally, in 2020, Fabien Galthié entrusted the keys to the truck to Dupont, Alldritt, Ntamack, Marchand and Flament.

Ten thirties

2024? No madness planned. Perhaps also because Galthié is the first coach to have a second "mandate" four years since Bernard Laporte (2000-2007).

Thus, 66% of the World Cup group was renewed. And again, we remove Antoine Dupont (rugby sevens) and the injured Thibaud Flament, Pierre Bourgarit and Anthony Jelonch. The current golden generation therefore encourages continuity. So much so that Fabien Galthié preferred to convince ex-neo-retirees to continue the adventure rather than inject new blood. Uini Atonio (34 years old), Romain Taofifenuna (33 years old), even Paul Gabrillagues (30 years old), not seen in Blue since the 2019 World Cup, should be in the game against Ireland.

✈🏉 flying 𝐛𝐥𝐮𝐞.#XVdeFrance #NeFaisonsXV pic.twitter.com/dg4Js78t0n

— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) January 30, 2024

There are ten in their thirties in this list of 34: Charles Ollivon, Cyril Baille, Maxime Lucu, Jonathan Danty, Paul Willemse, Dorian Aldegheri. Everyone will be on the pitch against Ireland on Friday evening. 

A shift compared to 2020. At the time, Bernard Le Roux was the only one to exceed 30 years in the group of 42. In four years, the group went from an average of 24 years and 8 caps to 26.5 years and 22 caps. "There is no pivotal age, nor eliminatory age", always defended Fabien Galthié. The example of South Africa, world champion with an average age of 29.8 confirms this theory.

The probable XV against Ireland

Several media outlets attended the event. to the different training sessions open to the public the press in recent days. Here is the team that seemed to be emerging to face Ireland this Friday, February 2 (9 p.m.).

FRANCE : Ramos – Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Moefana – (o) Jalibert, (m) Lucu – Ollivon, Alldritt (cap) , Cros – Willemse, Gabrillagues – Atonio, Mauvaka, Baille.

Replacements : Marchand, Wardi, Aldegheri, R. Taofifenua, Woki, Boudehent, Le Garrec, Bielle-Biarrey.