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Fabien Galthié reverses roles in French pack for Italy clash
By Jon Newcombe
France head coach Fabien Galthié has chosen not to radically tinker with his matchday 23, keeping a largely settled squad for the visit of Italy on Sunday.
Galthié has made just two changes to his starting XV for the match in Lille, both at lock, while Pierre-Louis Barassi will cover the outside backs after taking the No.23 jersey off last week’s debutant Noah Nene.
Charles Ollivon and Mickael Guillard, who were both outstanding in Les Bleus’ record 54-12 win over Wales, have been named on the bench, with the replacements in Cardiff, Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou, replacing them in the boiler room.
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For the third consecutive match the front row of Jean-Baptiste Gros, Julien Marchand and Dorian Aldegheri pack down together, while François Cros, Oscar Jegou and Anthony Jelonch form the back row.
In an unchanged backline, captain Antoine Dupont and Mathieu Jalibert remain at half-back and Pau pair Fabien Brau-Boirie and Emilien Gailleton make up the midfield combination.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey gets a chance to score for the eighth consecutive round in the championship, having been named on the left wing, Theo Attissogbe is on the right and Thomas Ramos remains a familiar presence at full-back.
France team vs Italy (1-15): Jean-Baptiste Gros, Julien Marchand, Dorian Aldegheri, Thibaud Flament, Emmanuel Meafou, François Cros, Oscar Jegou, Anthony Jelonch, Antoine Dupont (cpt), Matthieu Jalibert, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Fabien Brau-Boirie, Emilien Gailleton, Theo Attissogbe, Thomas Ramos.
Replacements: Peato Mauvaka, Rodrigue Neti, Georges-Henri Colombe, Charles Ollivon, Mickaël Guillard, Lenni Nouchi, Baptiste Serin, Pierre-Louis Barassi.
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