France: Championship Defense 2023

As France head into the 6 Nations as grand slam champions they have had several injuries to deal with.

In the backs, Jonathan Danty will miss the tournament having been the victim of a flying headbutt planted on him by the Perpignan captain. He is replaced by the very capable Yoram Moefana, of Bordeaux,  a centre by trade who has filled in on the wing for Villiers, most notably against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Gabin Villiers is struggling to discover his top form after a long injury layoff and his wing berth has been taken by Ethan Dumortier, of Lyon, a former French sevens player.

At full back Melvin Jaminet’s absence allows the multi-talented Thomas Ramos to reclaim the 15 jersey from his Toulouse team mate. France lose a bit of pace but probably gain more security under the high ball and a stronger last line of defense.
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Maxine Lucu is also injured allowing Galthie to offer a debut to the exciting 20-year-old Racing scrumhalf, Nolann Le Garrec. He has established himself as the first choice 9 this season, after the departure of Maxine Machenaud to Bayonne. The excellence of his all-round game has clearly caught the selectors eye, and the youngster has a keen eye for a gap, although he probably will need to improve his box kicking to excel for France.

In the forwards, hooker Peatu Mauvaka’s broken finger has opened the door once again to the explosive Gaeten Barlot, of Castres. He impressed on Les Bleus’s trip to Australia two summers ago, but Mauvaka’s form has limited his participation in the last couple of seasons.


Loose head prop, Jean–Baptise Gros, of Toulon, is still unavailable allowing the excellent Reda Wardi, from La Rochelle to continue to take his place on the bench, after impressing in the autumn series.

Tight head replacement Sipili Falatea, of Bordeaux,  continues to deputise for the absent Demba Bamba.

In the second row Thibaut Flament takes the place of Cameron Woki, not selected for this squad. The move to Paris hasn’t gone as smoothly as hoped and Woki is yet to discover his form from last season.

In the back row Charles Ollivon retains the 7 shirt from the autumn, whilst Francios Cros recovers from a long term injury.

Flament’s bench spot has been filled by Thomas Lavault, of La Rochelle. He is another tall athletic lock, and will complement the power game of Romain Taofifenua in the latter stages of the match.

The versatile Sekou Mackalou will make his six nations debut off the bench, after impressing as a wing replacement in the autumn, even though no.8 is his usual role.

Galthie’s preferred 6-2 bench split is deployed once again with Matthieu Jalibert required to kick his heels on the bench as the outfield back replacement.

France team for Italy:

15 Thomas Ramos,
14 Damian Penaud,
13 Gaël Fickou,
12 Yoram Moefana,
11 Ethan Dumortier,
10 Romain Ntamack,
9 Antoine Dupont (c),

1 Cyril Baille,
2 Julien Marchand,
3 Uini Atonio,
4 Thibaud Flament,
5 Paul Willemse,
6 Anthony Jelonch,
7 Charles Ollivon,
8 Grégory Alldritt

Replacements: 16 Gaëtan Barlot, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Sipili Falatea, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Thomas Lavault, 21 Sekou Macalou, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Matthieu Jalibert

Really interesting to read, thank you.

You are more than welcome!
Think this season will be harder for France, with injuries to some key players and Penaud struggling for form.
The forwards should still do well with such strength in depth available from 1 to 8. Just think the backs may be somewhat blunted. Ireland should push them all the way for the title.

Brilliant try for Capuozzo, Italy back in touch.

It's actually game on at HT - France only leading by 19-14 and having problems at the breakdown. I think they've conceded 9 penalties in that half.

The way things are developing, next week could be the time when Italy finally win against the only team they've yet to beat in the 6N ...

Looked like Italy were self imploding first 20 mins with crazy risks in own 22 then conceding. Decent come back to end half.

Crumbs, penalty try for Italy reduces the lead to 1, and France down to 14.

Not sure that was penalty try though.
However, yet again it strikes me the difference between rugby players and football players when penalised and carded. Not a word of disagreement from Oliver.

I really wish caterpillar rucks were banned. They slow the game down unnecessarily.

Think France will go on to win this but it will kill their points difference

Anyone else think Jalibert is better than Ntamak? I think if Jalibert was at Toulouse he would start every match for France.

2 crap kicks from allen that.

No 7&1/2 wrote:2 crap kicks from allen that.

Absolutely awful, completely ruined his teams chance to win. Bizarrely crap. Kelly Haimona would have done better.

Yeah Jalibert always lifts the pace when he comes on.
Brilliant effort from Italy, pity Allen's kicking boots deserted him at the end.
France will need to play a lot better to give Ireland a game next week

Very commendable effort from Italy. They're going to cause England's defence more problems next week.

France put to theTask today by ItalI.

iF Of Itali play the same next week England better play
a loy better than they did against Scotland or it could be the wooden spoon gir England/

Collapse2005 wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:2 crap kicks from allen that.

Absolutely awful, completely ruined his teams chance to win. Bizarrely crap. Kelly Haimona would have done better.

He bottled it on both kicks. Worried about kicking it dead.

That second one was terrible. Even I found her the 5m line from there and I was a forward

If Italy have any other 9 and 10 from any of the other 6 nations teams they would have won today, Varni and Allen were poor. Some of Allens exit kicks were awful and Varni put his team under a lot of pressure with blocked kicks and silly mistakes.

If they'd have started with Ben Youngs....really?

Yeah I dont think he could have been as bad as Varni who gifted Frances Flament 7 points in the first few minutes and wasnt much better from then on.

I hope this is a real improvement from Italy and hope it stays. This was a really good match to watch. And who knows what may have happened if France weren't gifted their first try.

Dr Grey
I did think France's back line might struggle with Danty and Villiers missing.
Moefana is a fine player but just doesn't punch holes like Danty does. Villiers is so strong over the ball he wins a couple of turnovers every game.
Thought the young Lyon winger was fine but he just doesn't have the same skill set as the Toulon man.
By the way, how did you enjoy the Guinness 0?

Collapse2005 wrote:If Italy have any other 9 and 10 from any of the other 6 nations teams they would have won today, Varni and Allen were poor. Some of Allens exit kicks were awful and Varni put his team under a lot of pressure with blocked kicks and silly mistakes.

I'm pretty sure they didn't sub him until the 70th minute. He was woeful

sensisball wrote: Dr Grey
I did think France's back line might struggle with Danty and Villiers missing.
Moefana is a fine player but just doesn't punch holes like Danty does. Villiers is so strong over the ball he wins a couple of turnovers every game.
Thought the young Lyon winger was fine but he just doesn't have the same skill set as the Toulon man.
By the way, how did you enjoy the Guinness 0?

Mate, thanks for mentioning the Guinness Zero. I still had a kernel of doubt when I picked it up but was pleasantly surprised. Pretty smooth and a nice drink in its own right. The guy in the shop told me he sells a lot of it.

To me, I thought France seemed rusty and sloppy. Not sure how many pens they gave away, but it could be almost twice as many as Italy. The best way to keep another team in the game is to keep giving the ball back.

The attacking skill and smarts by Italy seems to have really improved. And France, well I think DuPont was really switched on, Ntamack on the same page early but something seemed to break down in the second half. Also seemed to me there were a few times in the 2nd half when Italy seemed more comfortable than France. Je ne sais pas!

Some kicks by Allen were poor but overall I think he did ok.

Varney was appalling and candidate for worse player of the weekend.
Other contenders,for me, were Curry (Missed more tackles than he made), Falateau (penalty machine for Ireland) and Tipuric (was he on the pitch ?)

Only 2 changes to the French starting 15 for Wales match on Saturday.
Atonio is available and replaces Aldigeri, who drops out of the match day squad.
Willemse is injured and is replaced by Taofifénua.

Could be a tough day at the office for Wales.

15 Thomas Ramos,
14 Damian Penaud,
13 Gael Fickou,
12 Jonathan Danty,
11 Ethan Dumortier,
10 Romain Ntamack,
9 Antoine Dupont (c),

8 Gregory Alldritt,
7 Charles Ollivon,
6 Francois Cros,
5 Romain Taofifénua,
4 Thibaud Flament,
3 Uini Atonio,
2 Julien Marchand,
1 Cyril Baille

Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Sipili Falatea, 19 Bastien Chalureau, 20 Seckou Macalou, 21 Maxime Lucu, 22 Yoram Moefana, 23 Melvyn Jaminet