New skipper for revamped France
SQAUD ANNOUNCEMENT: Toulon’s relatively inexperienced back-row Charles Ollivon was named as France captain as new head coach Fabien Galthie unveiled a revamped 42-man Six Nations squad featuring a remarkable 19 uncapped players.
Ollivon, 26, who has just 11 international caps, will lead the side for the tournament as Galthie has chosen not to nominate a permanent skipper as was the case in 2016 with Guilhem Guirado, who has since retired from Test rugby.
“It’s an honour to be captain of the France team,” said Ollivon.
“It’s a somewhat special moment, quite moving,” he added. “I can’t wait to start the adventure.”
🔴 Désigné capitaine du #XVdeFrance pour le Tournoi des #SixNations, le troisième ligne se réjouit de sa mission et nous parle de cette nouvelle aventure avec ambition et humilité.
🎥 Reportage 👉 https://t.co/IZqxZZIoFr#NeFaisonsXV pic.twitter.com/4bJ08vcR4F
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) January 8, 2020
World under-20 champions Cameron Woki, Louis Carbonel, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Killian Geraci and Arthur Vincent are among the uncapped faces in the new-look set-up that sees veterans such as Maxime Medard, Yoann Huget, Wenceslas Lauret and Rabah Slimani all miss out.
Galthie’s first match in charge, in a tenure which could include the 2023 World Cup on home soil, will see England travelling to Paris on February 2.
France squad
Forwards: Dorian Aldegheri (Toulouse), Cyril Baille (Toulouse), Demba Bamba (Lyon), Camille Chat (Racing 92), Anthony Etrillard (Toulon), Jean-Baptiste Gros (Toulon), Mohamed Haouas (Montpellier), Julien Marchand (Toulouse), Jefferson Poirot (Bordeaux-Begles), Cyril Cazeaux (Bordeaux-Begles), Killian Geraci (Lyon), Bernard Le Roux (Racing 92), Boris Palu (Racing 92), Romain Taofifenua (Toulon), Paul Willemse (Montpellier), Gregory Alldritt (La Rochelle), Charles Ollivon (Toulon, capt), Dylan Cretin (Lyon), Francois Cros (Toulouse), Alexandre Fischer (Clermont), Sekou Macalou (Stade Francais), Selevasio Tolofua (Toulouse), Cameron Woki (Bordeaux-Begles)
Backs: Antoine Dupont (Toulouse), Baptiste Serin (Toulon), Maxime Lucu (Bordeaux-Begles), Romain Ntamack (Toulouse), Louis Carbonel (Toulouse), Mathieu Jalibert (Bordeaux-Begles), Gael Fickou (Stade Francais), Virimi Vakatawa (Racing 92), Arthur Vincent (Montpellier), Julien Heriteau (Toulon), Gervais Cordin (Toulon), Lester Etien (Stade Francais), Gabriel Ngandebe (Montpellier), Damian Penaud (Clermont), Vincent Rattez (La Rochelle), Teddy Thomas (Racing 92), Anthony Bouthier (Montpellier), Kylian Hamdaoui (Stade Francais), Thomas Ramos (Toulouse)
