France change four for Argentina clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France head coach Fabien Galthie has omitted the experienced No.8 Gregory Alldritt from the team that will face Argentina this weekend.
Alldritt, made his 51st Test appearance in last weekend’s narrow win over New Zealand and is one of four changes for Friday’s clash against Los Pumas in Paris.
Galthie said on Wednesday there is “no controversy” regarding Alldritt’s absence from the team to face Argentina this week.
“Team changes don’t fall from the sky,” Galthie told reporters.
“He’s a captain, leader, an exemplary player that all the players want to follow and he will remain like that.
“There’s competition, there’s a change in team selection.
“There’s no controversy around that,” he added.
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Charles Ollivon takes Alldritt’s place in the starting lineup with fullback Leo Barre and prop Uini Atonio also coming into the side.
Loose forward Francois Cros, prop Uini Atonio and fullback Leo Barre are the new faces replacing Alexandre Roumat, Tevita Tatafu and Romain Buros.
Buros scored a try on his Test debut against the All Blacks before suffering an injury on Tuesday.
“He hasn’t recovered fully from a dead leg,” Galthie said.
“Last night after training he told us he wasn’t sure to be 100 percent.
“We had to make a decision. Leo Barre is ready,” the former France captain added.
Matthieu Jalibert is once again out of the matchday squad, having been the starting flyhalf at the 2023 World Cup.
Jalibert was also omitted from the 23 to play New Zealand, with Thomas Ramos selected at flyhalf.
“There’s no controversy around Jalibert,” Galthie repeated.
“He needed to rest and recover.
“We discussed it,” he added.
France: 15 Leo Barre, 14 Gabin Villiere, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Thomas Ramos, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Charles Ollivon, 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Mickael Guillard, 20 Alexandre Roumat, 21 Marko Gazzotti, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Emilien Gailleton
Date: Friday, November 22
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 21.10 (20.10 GMT; 17.10 Argentina time)
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant referees: Andrea Piardi (Italy), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)
