XV of France: Théo Attissogbe replaces Damian Penaud, Alexandre Roumat in second row

Théo Attissogbe during his last match in the XV de France jersey against Japan. MAXPPP – Sébastien Muylaert

Pau winger Théo Attissogbe replaced Damian Penaud in training on the eve of the announcement of the XV de France line-up against Wales, while Alexandre Roumat took his place in the second row, pushing Auradou to the bench alongside Jegou.

Penaud, the second highest try scorer in the history of the French XV, was on the edge of the Marcoussis pitch, nice and warm in his jacket, watching his teammates on the pitch for the main training session of the week which opens the Six Nations Tournament. He had already not participated in training on Sunday and his presence on Friday against the Welsh seems excluded, the winger having injured a toe.

“He is staying here to get treatment, so it doesn't seem too serious for him. He is working hard on his rehabilitation”, scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec assured in a press conference.

The French XV did not call anyone to replace him in the group of 42 but on the field, it was Théo Attissogbe (20 years old, 3 caps) who wore the number 14, after having already replaced Penaud at short notice this autumn against Japan before getting injured. The other wing will be occupied by Louis Bielle-Biarrey, recovered from his dizziness that delayed his arrival in Marcoussis last week.

The only other uncertainty was the identity of the replacement for Thibaud Flament, who was out at least against Wales due to a muscle injury.

Jegou and Auradou on the bench

At one time expected to start, Auradou was finally overtaken by another Toulousain, Alexandre Roumat. Auradou should therefore take his place among the substitutes, just like the third row Oscar Jegou, a little over a month after having benefited from a dismissal concerning the accusations of rape which targeted them during the summer tour in Argentina.

The complainant has appealed the decision, and the appeal will be examined on February 10 and 11.

Third row by trade, Roumat, who has already played in the middle of a match in the second row during the last Tournament, will be alongside his teammate, the super-powerful Emmanuel Meafou.

Another Toulousain, center Pierre-Louis Barassi (26 years old, 3 caps), who has shone this season at club level, has played with the starters. His last appearance with the Blues dates back to 2021 and a tour in Australia, when he was still playing with Lyon.

After several seasons ruined by repeated injuries, Barassi will finally have a chance to prove the extent of his talent in the jersey bearing the rooster. The explosive center, very visible even in training, passed in front of the Bordelo-Béglais Nicolas Deporteere to play alongside another UBB player, Yoram Moefana.

The Dupont-Ntamack hinge is back

At the back, Thomas Ramos returns to his favorite position, the opening being entrusted to another returnee, Romain Ntamack, seventeen months after his last match in Bleu, where he seriously injured his knee, missing the 2023 World Cup and the 2024 Tournament. Ntamack will unsurprisingly be associated with the hinge with scrum-half and superstar Antoine Dupont, who will make his return to the Tournament, a year after devoting himself to his Olympic adventure at Sevens, crowned with gold.

In the rest of the pack, the composition will be without surprises, particularly in the third row, where the powerful La Rochelle Paul Boudehent, who imposed himself this fall, will be associated with the jack-of-all-trades François Cros, supervising Gregory Alldritt who keeps the number 8.

In the front row, the tireless right pillar Uini Atonio will hold his position to wedge the French scrum. On the left, Toulon's Jean-Baptiste Gros seems to be holding the rope against Toulouse's Cyril Baille, recently back from six months of injury. Mauvaka should start between the two.

The probable line-up against the Welsh: Ramos – Attissogbe, Barassi, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey – (o) Ntamack, (m) Dupont (cap.) – Boudehent, Alldritt, Cros – Meafou, Roumat – Atonio, Mauvaka, Gros