The pillar of the MHR, Mohamed Haouas. ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT / AFP
The Montpellier stalwart should compensate for the suspension of Uini Atonio on the front line. The only change from the team beaten by Ireland.
In Marcoussis
Under the eyes of a large and enthusiastic public, high-intensity training and its game of chasubles (white) delivered this Wednesday the tracks as to the composition of the team of the XV of France (which will be formalized Friday noon) against to Scotland, Sunday (4 p.m.) at the Stade de France, on behalf of the 3e day of the Six Nations Tournament.
In the absence of the right pillar Uini Atonio, suspended for this match and the trip to England on March 11, it is Mohamed Haouas who should start against XV du Chardon. A comeback for the Montpellier who had disappeared from the match sheets for almost a year. Sat 15e and last selection dates back to France-England, March 19, 2022, where he entered the game.
Haouas’ last tenure dates back to November 2021
His last tenure is even older: against Argentina on November 6, 2021. He was preferred to the one who stole the role of regular lining from Rochelais, the pillar of UBB Sipili Falatea. Who will sit on the bench again.
This will be, a priori, the only change made by Fabien Galthié and his staff compared to the team beaten in Dublin two weeks ago. If Jonathan Danty, barely back from injury, has been recalled, he is still too fair to apply for the center of the tricolor attack. Yoram Moefana will therefore start once again alongside Gaël Fickou.
«Jonathan is still in rehabilitation. He is not 100% and in no condition to play against Scotland. We brought him with us to see where he is and if he can apply for the last two matches of the Tournament against England and Wales (March 11 and 18)“, confirmed Thibault Giroud, the performance director of the XV of France.
Ramos kept at the back
Despite his mixed performance against Ireland, Thomas Ramos should keep his place at the back of the XV of France, the staff having not yielded to the temptation to revive his Toulouse teammate Melvyn Jaminet. No change to report either on the side of the “finishers” bench.
The probable starting XV against Scotland : 15. Ramos; 14. Penaud, 13. Moefana, 12. Fickou, 11. Dumortier; 10. Ntamack, 9. Dupont (cap.); 8. Alldritt, 7. Ollivon, 6. Jelonch; 5. Willemse, 4. Flamen; 3. Haouas, 2. Merchant, 1. Baille.
Substitutes : 16. Barlot, 17. Ward, 18. Falatea, 19. Taofifenua, 20. Cross, 21. Macalou, 22. Couilloud, 23. Jalibert