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19 uncapped played in France's Six Nations squad... and Galthie also reveals a new captain

Charles Ollivon (left) has been chosen as the new France captain (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Toulon flanker Charles Ollivon will captain France in this season’s Guinness Six Nations Championship. The 26-year-old’s first match in charge is against England at Stade de France on February 2.

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Ollivon, whose appointment was announced by the French Rugby Federation, takes over from Guilhem Guirado, who has retired from Test rugby. It is the first key playing appointment of new Les Blues’ head coach Fabien Galthie’s reign.

“I will take advantage of every second because it is a great honour,” Ollivon told the FFR website. “Fabien called me when I was at home. It was a special moment. I look forward to starting this new adventure.

“This is close to my heart. I come from a territory where identity is strong. So no doubt that when it comes to the France jersey and what it represents, that speaks to me. It is a thing apart because it is the highest level we can reach… responsibilities are entrusted to me and I want to be up to the task. I will give everything for this team.”

Galthie, meanwhile, has named a 42-man squad ahead of the tournament, including 19 uncapped players. The list of international rookies includes Lyon lock Killian Geraci, Clermont Auvergne back row forward Alexandre Fischer, plus backs Maxime Lucu, Louis Carbonel and Arthur Vincent.

And among a number of established names to miss out are wing Yoann Huget, fly-half Camille Lopez, scrum-half Maxime Machenaud, prop Ribah Slimani and flanker Wenceslas Lauret.

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AM 4 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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