2023-08-03 23:28:30
A trip to complete the list. This first match of the preparation for the World Cup (September 8 – October 28) this Saturday (4.15 p.m.) against Scotland in Edinburgh will above all be an opportunity for the staff of the Blues to observe in real situation the linings capable of slip into the group of 33 selected (they are currently 42) for the World Cup which will be unveiled on August 21.
Fabien Galthié, who announced the composition of the XV of France this Thursday noon in Marcoussis, as expected left his typical team at rest. No Dupont, Ntamack, Ramos, Fickou, Danty, Alldritt, Marchand, Baille or Ollivon, room for the very young and the ghosts.
Dulin captain
Three rookies will thus be holders at Murrayfield: the Bordeaux-Bègles winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey (20 years old), the center of Pau Emilien Gailleton (20 years old) and the third line from La Rochelle Paul Boudehent (23 years old). The first two had been deprived of the Under-20 World Cup won by the Bleuets on July 14 because of their summons to the “big guys”. “Everyone has their own background, their origins, underlines Fabien Galthié. Twenty years is very young, they are undoubtedly among the youngest newly capped. But they do not ask questions: Louis and Emilien have a perfect course, Paul has a slightly different course passing through France VII. French rugby can be proud to release players with such potential. But there is no real surprise, it responds to a method, to a logic. Even though they are young, they are prepared. They sent signals very early. »
Impressive since the start of preparation on July 3 in Monaco, they can dream of a place among the 33. Like La Rochelle back Brice Dulin, named captain because of his experience (33 years, 36 selections) – “The choice seemed so natural to us … He is the leader in his club, in this backbone which has become European champion, he has the necessary maturity ”, confides the manager of the Blues Raphaël Ibanez- or Baptiste Couilloud, the scrum half Lyonnais who has a head start on the Toulonnais Baptiste Serin, intended to enter during the match. Cameron Woki and Demba Bamba, less prominent in recent months, will try to prove that they still have the level to be part of the adventure. There will be two other games left before August 21, against Scotland on the 12th in Saint-Étienne and against Fiji on the 19th in Nantes to stand out, but we will have to reckon with the return of the usual starters.
The French team this Saturday (4:15 p.m.) in Edinburgh against Scotland: Dulin (cap.), Bielle-Biarrey, Gailleton, Moefana, Dumortier – (o) Jalibert, (m) Couilloud – Macalou, Tanga, Boudehent – Chalureau , Woki-Bamba, Bourgarit, Gros. Replacements: Wardi, Mauvaka, Falatea, Willemse, Cretin, Serin, Hastoy, Vincent.
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