France Rugby has announced the selection of 42 players for the preparation leading up to their upcoming clash with Ireland, scheduled for March 8, 2025, as part of the Six Nations Tournament. Head coach Fabien Galthié revealed this roster earlier today, showcasing notable returns and decisions aimed at strengthening the team for this challenging match.
The match, set to kick off at 15:15 local time, is particularly significant following France's resounding victory over Italy last week. With momentum on their side, the French team is determined to assert their dominance once again against the Irish squad, known for their resilience and skill.
Among the highlighted players selected, Emmanuel Meafou stands out. Having missed the previous match against Italy due to a pulmonary infection, his return is highly anticipated. Reports indicate his recovery process was reassuring, allowing him to rejoin the squad for this pivotal game. "Un match presque sans fausse note" (A match almost without a false note) suggests pundits believe Meafou's presence could solidify the team's performance against the Irish giants.
Other notable inclusions are Romain Buros, Pierre Bourgarit, and Tevita Tatafu, reflecting Galthié's strategy to introduce fresh talent and experience to the squad. Conversely, Gabin Villière remains sidelined due to injury, along with other players who are unable to participate.
Here's the complete list of players summoned for training at Marcoussis:
- Forwards: Esteban Abadie (Toulon), Dorian Aldegheri (Toulouse), Grégory Alldritt (La Rochelle), Uini Atonio (La Rochelle), Hugo Auradou (Pau), Cyril Baille (Toulouse), Paul Boudehent (La Rochelle), Pierre Bourgarit (Racing), Joshua Brennan (Toulouse), François Cros (Toulouse), Sipili Falatea (Bordeaux), Thibaud Flament (Toulouse), Marko Gazzotti (UBB), Jean-Baptiste Gros (Toulon), Mickaël Guillard (Lyon), Oscar Jegou (La Rochelle), Anthony Jelonch (Toulouse), Julien Marchand (Toulouse), Peato Mauvaka (Toulouse), Emmanuel Meafou (Toulouse), Lenni Nouchi (Montpellier), Alexandre Roumat (Toulouse), Romain Taofifenua (Racing), Tevita Tatafu (Bayonne), Réda Wardi (La Rochelle).
- Backs: Théo Attissogbe (Pau), Pierre-Louis Barassi (Toulouse), Léo Barré (Paris), Louis Bielle-Biarrey (UBB), Romain Buros (UBB), Nicolas Depoortere (UBB), Gaël Dréan (Toulouse), Antoine Dupont (Toulouse), Gaël Fickou (Racing 92), Émilien Gailleton (Pau), Matthieu Jalibert (UBB), Nolann Le Garrec (Racing 92), Maxime Lucu (UBB), Yoram Moefana (UBB), Romain Ntamack (Toulouse), Damian Penaud (UBB), Thomas Ramos (Toulouse).
The announcement indicates Galthié's focus on both performance and building team synergy. Following the victory against Italy, where the team executed near-flawless techniques, the French side is eager to maintain this form against Ireland, who poses as formidable opposition.
Damian Penaud is also expected to start, returning to the first team following his absence last week. His experience and performance will be pivotal, as he nears breaking the record for the most tries for France, with only one try needed to tie Serge Blanco's long-standing record. Galthié confidently mentioned, "Damian has been invaluable to us, and his contributions will be key moving forward." The competition for spots within the squad is heating up, with younger players like Théo Attissogbe seeking to make their presence felt.
With anticipation building for the match, fans are hopeful for another exciting display from the French team as they prepare for their next significant challenge. The atmosphere leading up to the game is set to be electric, with the nation rallying behind their team.
Overall, the upcoming match against Ireland not only presents an opportunity for France to solidify their position within the tournament but also acts as a great stage for individual players to showcase their talents and contributions to the national team.