XV France: Bale and Dante return to face Namibia, Aldrit spared

If Fabien Galtier blamed the performance of his troops against Uruguay, the France XV coach was satisfied after the meeting that no new injuries were added to the Blues’ incomplete score (27-12) on Thursday, September 14. . Because the blue infirmary, which was very full at the start of the World Cup, is gradually becoming empty. This is evidenced by the composition of the French national team against Namibia on Thursday, September 21, in Marseille.

Out since mid-August with a right ankle injury, left wing Cyril Bailly will find a place in the front line, as will powerful center Jonathan Dunt, who picked up a hamstring injury late in training. A France XV that is approaching a typical squad – and the players who beat the All Blacks in the opening match – is missing only third-row Gregory Aldritt, who missed training on Monday with a caution (knee).

“We hear a lot of debate about the squads, but we make our squads week in week out.”, insisted Fabien Galtier, on Tuesday, September 19, in Aix-en-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhône). After the victory against the New Zealanders, “Those who played needed to recover”– explains the coach. A largely rejuvenated side then faced and narrowly defeated Uruguay in Lille six days later.

Louis Billet-Biarey’s second term

“After the Lille game, we had a seven-day week where we had the opportunity to get the All Blacks back into the classic rotation.”– explains the French coach who ensures this“Of course there is no change” Despite a sluggish match – and no offensive bonus points (scored from four tries scored) – against the Teros. The same explanation for the second start in a row for youngster Louis Billet-Biarey on the wing, to the detriment of Gabin Villiers, who played the entire first two matches.

Two weeks out from the opener and with so much time down the line – with each team having a weekend off due to groups of five – the Blues are keen to get back into the competition. “There is no need to save, I am happy to be able to play, I need a rhythm, to find reference points with the team”said Matteo Jaliberto, who opened Monday. Following a training-late injury to starting XV member Roman Ntamak, the Bordeaux winger will look to refine his cross-country routines alongside Antoine Dupont.

“After the game against the All Blacks a fortnight ago, a lot of players have been spared and I hope it’s a fortnight before Italy and other upcoming events.The French captain claimed on Tuesday. We are simply fielding our best team, as we often do, based on current fitness levels. We want to have the best match in terms of result and form. »

before 21^e The world nation, who have not won a game in their six World Cup appearances, will be keen to forget their incomplete performance against Uruguay. “We don’t think about bonus points, we just think about successful performance”, asserts Toulouse second-tier Thibaut Flament. If the Namibians were brutally defeated by Italy (52-8) and then by New Zealand (71-3) at the opening of the World Cup, the French say they want to respect their opponent. We saw them get a lot of points in the first two games, so we want to get points and tries, but that requires respect for our game.Fullback Thomas Ramos appreciates.

• composition of blues

Thomas Ramos – Damien Penault, Gael Fico, Jonathan Dant, Louis Biel-Bear – (O) Mathieu Jalibert, (M) Antoine Dupont (capt.) – Charles Olivonne, Anthony Gelonci, Francois Cross – Thibaut Flament, Cameron Vocke – Winnie Atonio , Peato Mauvaka, Cyril Baille.