Mohamed Haouas had not started in the Tournament since 2021 and a defeat against Scotland. FRANCK FIFE / AFP
After the suspension of Uini Atonio, the coach of the Blues recalled the right pillar of Montpellier to challenge the XV du Chardon, Sunday at the Stade de France.
Fall and get up. After their defeat in Dublin against the XV of Clover (32-19) a fortnight ago, the Blues must relaunch in the Six Nations Tournament with the reception of Scotland, Sunday at the Stade de France (4:15 p.m.). For this third match of the 2023 edition, Fabien Galthié made – constrained and forced – only one change compared to the team which lost at the Aviva Stadium: Uini Atonio being suspended after a dangerous tackle, Mohamed Haouas returns to the right of the tricolor scrum. He was preferred to Sipili Falatea (UBB, 25, 9 caps), usual substitute in recent matches.
Indispensable at the start of Galthié’s mandate, the right-hander from Montpellier (28 years old, 14 caps) had gradually demoted in the hierarchy at the expense of the experienced Rochelais. Haouas’ last tenure in the Tournament dates back to March 26, 2021 and a defeat against… Scotland (27-23). His last selection (replacing Atonio in the 55th minute) nevertheless dated from March 19, 2022 during the victory against England (25-13) for the tricolor Grand Slam. “Of course, he has the fangs. We must not forget that, “Momo”, a year or two ago, chained the Six Nations Tournament as holder. He is happy to find his place. We all know his qualities, he is explosive, hard on the man.boasted the hooker of Castres, Gaëtan Barlot.
Haouas is “endearing but he deserves special attention”
Modern pillar par excellence, both rough and dynamic, Houas will be vengeful against the Scots, he who had received a red card against them in March 2020 for a punch on Jamie Ritchie. After making headlines for the judiciary (for alleged acts of “aggravated violence» et «destruction of material in meetings” almost ten years ago), the champion of France with the MHR and future player of Clermont finds the light. “He is endearing but he deserves special attention. This is an issue for us but for him too“, underlines the manager Raphaël Ibanez.
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For the rest, no upheavals in the starting XV tricolor. Seven players from Stade Toulousain make up the big backbone of the France team, including hinge Antoine Dupont-Romain Ntamack and full-back Thomas Ramos, again preferred to his club teammate, Melvyn Jaminet. In the absence of Jonathan Danty, too soon after his return from injury and released by the staff, the pair of centers will once again be made up of Yoram Moefana (UBB) and Gaël Fickou (Racing 92).
Two losses against Scotland since 2020
On the substitutes’ bench, Lyon scrum-half Baptiste Couilloud was logically retained after Maxime Lucu (UBB)’s injury package. He was preferred to Nolann Le Garrec (Racing 92), injured during the week of preparation, and Baptiste Serin, called to the rescue for the first time since March 26, 2021 and this defeat Scotland at the Stade de France. Matthieu Jalibert, who can play at the opening or at the back (as against Ireland), will once be a “finisher”.
Victorious last year at Murrayfield in their quest for the Grand Slam (17-36), the Blues have nevertheless conceded two losses against Highland players since the last World Cup: in 2020 in Edinburgh (28-17), then the next year at the Stade de France (23-27). During the short-lived Autumn Nations Cup, organized during the health crisis, the Tricolores had however won in Edinburgh (15-22).
Composition of the XV of France:
Ramos – Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Dumortier – (o) Ntamack, (m) Dupont (cap.) – Ollivon, Alldritt, Jelonch – Willemse, Flament – Haouas, Marchand, Baille
Replacements: Barlot, Ward, Falatea, Taofifenua, Cross, Macalou, Couilloud, Jalibert
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