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Antoine Dupont returns in 42-man provisional France Six Nations squad

122 days ago

PARIS, FRANCE - NOVEMBER 16: Antoine Dupont of France looks on as a scrum is contested during the Autumn Nations Series 2024 match between France and New Zealand at the Stade de France on November 16, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)

Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack have been included in a 42-man France squad for the upcoming Six Nations tournament.

Toulouse scrum-half Dupont, who has returned as captain, has switched focus back to the 15-a-side game after leading France to the gold medal in the rugby sevens at the Paris Olympics.

Fly-half Ntamack missed the entire Autumn Series due to a calf injury sustained while playing for Toulouse last October.

SA v French teams in Champions Cup

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SA v French teams in Champions Cup

France, who finished runners-up to Ireland in last year’s tournament, face Wales at Stade de France in their opening match on January 31.

Coach Fabien Galthie has also included Leinster’s 35-year-old prop Rabah Slimani and back Noah Nene, who plays for second-tier US Dax Rugby Landes, in his provisional squad, which will be reduced to 28 players next week.

France won all three of their Autumn Series matches against Japan, New Zealand and Argentina.

2025 France Six Nations squad:

Forwards:
Esteban Abadie
Dorian Aldegheri
Gregory Alldritt
Uini Atonio
Hugo Auradou
Cyril Baille
Giorgi Beria
Paul Boudehent
Joshua Brennan
Georges-Henri Colombe
Francois Cros
Thibaud Flament
Marko Gazzotti
Jean-Baptiste Gros
Matthias Halagahu
Oscar Jegou
Anthony Jelonch
Maxime Lamothe
Julien Marchand
Peato Mauvaka
Emmanuel Meafou
Dany Priso
Rabah Slimani
Romain Taofifenua

Backs:
Theo Attissogbe
Pierre-Louis Barassi
Leo Barre
Louis Bielle-Biarrey
Nicolas Depoortere
Gael Drean
Antoine Dupont
Antoine Frisch
Emilien Gailleton
Mattieu Jalibert
Nolann Le Garrec
Maxime Lucu
Yoram Moefana
Noah Nene
Romain Ntamack
Damian Penaud
Thomas Ramos
Gabin Villiere

Comments

15 Comments

NK 111 days ago

No Laclayat, Tatafu or Falatea but Aldegheri and Slimani, who are both not in great form nor they are ones for the future, are included?!?

RedWarriors 120 days ago

France are planning to win their first global tournament in 2026 (nations cup) followed by the RWC in 2027. I fancy them to win the 6N also in 2026 on the way to an attempt in the Nations Cup. If Ireland scrape it this year it will be a bonus. Sharpness in attack will be needed to match the points that France will score.

jZ 121 days ago

Can't see us beating both Ireland and England away...

GH 121 days ago

for once, France might be a favorite in the competition over three outsiders as, in my opinion, Ireland and England have lessened and Scotland might be able to surprise its opponents in more than one game. Nothing is done and the first day will give more certainties I guess...

Bull Shark 122 days ago

I choked on my cornflakes and fell off my chair when I read Antoine and Romain were selected.

But yup. This is the squad that will win this year’s 6N. Put money on it.

Also:

- France for the Grand Slam

- No one for the Triple Crown

- Italy for the wooden spoon

Jon 122 days ago

So Bull Shark are you saying, England will beat Ireland, Ireland will beat Scotland, Scotland will beat England and Wales will beat Italy?

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Comments on RugbyPass

Cantab 5 days ago

Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

4 Go to comments

James 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

37 Go to comments

dw 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.

Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 5 days ago

'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

91 Go to comments

JM 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

37 Go to comments

RedWarriors 5 days ago

'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

4 Go to comments

OJohn 5 days ago

Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

Hooray

0 Go to comments

Carlos 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

He was also a YC magnet.

37 Go to comments

Carlos 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

37 Go to comments

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0 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

37 Go to comments

Mzilikazi 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.

Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

37 Go to comments

BC 5 days ago

Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

1 Go to comments

Otagoman II 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

37 Go to comments

NB 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

👍

37 Go to comments

NB 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Always the same at the other place. Some of those perceptions of him at the Tahs - lazy, overweight and slow - were impossible to shift!

37 Go to comments

NB 5 days ago

'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

Hang on to Miz Carlos!

37 Go to comments

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