VI Nations: Attissogbe starts, Ntamack returns, Auradou and Jegou on the bench… discover the composition of the XV of France

Fabien Galthie vient de dévoiler sa composition pour le match face au pays de Galles. MAXPPP – PIERRE ROUANET

Pour le premier match du Tournoi des VI Nations 2025, Fabien Galthié a annoncé la composition de l’équipe de France qui affrontera le pays de Galles, vendredi 31 janvier (21 h 15) au stade de France.

For the first match of the Six Nations Tournament, Friday against Wales (9:15 p.m.), Fabien Galthie can count on his Toulouse hinge, Dupont-Ntamack, his experienced first row, and his precious scorer Thomas Ramos, but had to do without the best active try scorer of the XV of France, Damian Penaud (36 tries).

Two months after his last match during a successful autumn tour, the staff of the Blues has adjusted his team, thanks to important returns, but also because of a few physical problems for others. After a year and a half without wearing the blue jersey since his injury on August 12, 2023, Romain Ntamack will be able to regain his place as number 10 of the French team, he who confided to Midi Olympique his love for the blue tunic: “I know how beautiful this blue jersey is”.

Attissogbe and Roumat to replace Penaud and Flament

As announced, Théo Attisogbe will be on the pitch on Friday evening with the number 14 on his back. He replaces Damain Penaud who has been out due to a toe injury. At the second row position, Alexandre Roumat takes over the place of his club teammate, Thibault Flament, who has been out for the first match. Another Toulouse player is returning to the French team, Pierre Louis Barassi takes his place at second centre, to support Yoram Moefana. He who had not made an appearance with the French team since the 2021 summer tour. He was able to catch the eye of the coach, thanks to his performances with Stade Toulousain since the start of the season.

Auradou and Jegou on the bench

Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou will be substitutes. The two players are “selectable” and “innocent”, Fabien Galthié said on RMC in early January, a month and a half after the first instance dropped the prosecution in Argentina following accusations of rape. The two 21-year-old players should therefore experience their second selection in Bleu.

Thomas Ramos, who had brilliantly ensured the interim in November, switches back to his natural position, at the back, while Matthieu Jalibert, long seen as the competitor and then the replacement for Ntamack, does not appear on the match sheet nor among the additional players who can be mobilized in the event of injury. Ntamack will be partnered with his Toulouse teammate and rugby superstar Antoine Dupont.

Composition of the French Big