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PARIS – As Eddie Jones toys with naming his first-choice stars or wrapping them in cotton wool, Fabien Galthie has rolled out the big guns in Les Bleus’ final match before hosting the World Cup at the Stade de France on Sunday (Monday, 1:45am AEST).
Not even the devastating knee-injury to Romain Ntamack has seen the former French captain go into his shell.
No, Les Bleus boss, who boldly backed youth ahead of the last World Cup knowing they had to change course to ensure they were primed for hosting the tournament four years’ later, has named what many think is his best side.
It’s not necessarily a surprise.
France’s head coach Fabien Galthie has named a strong line-up to take on the Wallabies in their final hit out before their World Cup opener against the All Blacks. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP via Getty Images)
Unlike the Wallabies who will play Georgia first-up, who are no easy beats but nonetheless aren’t expected to progress through to the final eight, France will host the red hot All Blacks in their World Cup opener on the tournament’s opening night.
It means France must be ready from the outset and by playing the Wallabies, Galthie’s side will finally take on a Southern Hemisphere power that play completely different from those in the north.
The former halfback has named his captain and arguably the world’s best player in Antoine Dupont, whose combination is still building with Matthieu Jaibert following Ntamack’s devastating injury a fortnight ago.
Nor is he the only headline act, with power up front and skill and explosiveness in the back-row. Then look to the backline, which features the hulking metre-eater and on-ball threat in Jonathan Danty at inside centre and the livewire Gael Fickou in the midfield.
Gabin Villiere, Damian Penaud and Thomas Ramos feature in a threatening back three, with the trio well known to the Wallabies.
Indeed, less than a year ago Penaud’s late try denied the Wallabies a famous victory at the same venue. Victory could well have saved Dave Rennie’s tenure with the Wallabies, as his side let another close match slip through their fingers.
Damian Penaud celebrates after France beat the Wallabies at the death at the Stade de France on November 05, 2022 in Paris. (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images)
Up front, Julien Marchand starts at hooker alongside giant tight-head prop Uini Atonio.
Thibaud Flament and Paul Willemse are the second-row pairing, with Cameron Woki to come off the bench.
Francois Cros, Charles Ollivion and Gregory Alldritt meanwhile offer a well-balanced and threatening back-row.
What and who Jones names remains to be seen.
Eddie Jones is weighing up several selection calls ahead of Sunday’s clash against France. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
The Wallabies are winless from four Tests to start Jones’ second tenure, but the veteran boss knows the World Cup won’t be won against France. Yet, it could be lost.
If Angus Bell or Taniela Tupou were to go down, their campaign would be in crisis.
Others, including Tupou, need game time and that extends to Jones’ wider squad, including Ben Donaldson, who hasn’t played a match in more than two months yet is the Wallabies’ second playmaker.
Jones will name his team on Friday at approximately 6pm AEST.
France 1-15: Jean-Baptiste Gros, Julien Marchand, Uini Atonio, Thibaud Flament, Paul Willemse, Francois Cros, Charles Ollivion, Gregory Alldritt, Antoine Dupont, Matthieu Jaibert, Gabin Villiere, Jonathan Danty, Gael Fickou, Damian Penaud, Thomas Ramos
Replacements: Peato Mauvaka, Sebastien Taofifenua, Dorian Aldegheri, Cameron Woki, Paul Boudehent, Baptise Couilloud, Malywn Jaminet
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