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France make one change to face Ireland after win over Wales

(Photo by John Berry/Getty Images)

France have made one change to their XV to face Ireland in the Six Nations finale on Saturday in Paris, the injury to Teddy Thomas forcing Fabien Galthie into a backline reshuffle.

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With Thomas sidelined with a hamstring injury following last weekend’s comprehensive win over Wales in autumn warm-up match, left wing Vincent Rattez has switched to the right to fill the Thomas vacancy.

Gael Fickou, who started in midfield against the Welsh, slots into Rattez’ left wing shirt while Arthur Vincent is promoted from the bench to start at inside centre alongside Virimi Vakatawa. With Vincent promoted from the bench, Arthur Retiere comes onto the replacements.

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Ex-France full-back Scott Spedding guests on the Le French Rugby podcast

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Ex-France full-back Scott Spedding guests on the Le French Rugby podcast

Otherwise, the France matchday 23 for the final match in the Six Nations is the same as the selection that took Wales apart in a five-try, 38-21 win in Paris that was inspired by scrum-half Antoine Dupont who scored two tries. Captain Charles Ollivon, Cyril Baille and Thomas also crossed.

The French forwards are unchanged after the cited Bernard Le Roux escaped a ban for his forearm incident with Alun Wyn Jones. The hearing decided the foul play didn’t warrant a red card, which left the lock free to continue playing.

In third place heading into their final Six Nations match against Ireland, the French are still in with a title chance as they are level on points with England and just a point behind the Irish following three wins last February.

Their attempt to win the Grand Slam came unstuck in March at Scotland where a first-half red card for tighthead Mohamed Haouas contributed to their downfall and handed Galthie his first defeat since taking charge after the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

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FRANCE (vs Ireland, Saturday): Anthony Bouthier; Vincent Rattez, Vrimi Vakatawa, Arthur Vincent, Gael Fickou; Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont; Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand, Mohamed Haouas, Bernard Le Roux, Damien Willemsem, Francois Cros, Charles Ollivon (capt), Gregory Aldritt. Reps: Camille Chat, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Demba Bamba, Romain Taofifenua, Dylan Cretin, Baptiste Serin, Arthur Retiere, Thomas Ramos.

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S
SK 3 hours ago
What is the future of rugby in 2025?

Set pieces are important and the way teams use them is a great indication of how they play the game. No team is showcasing their revolution more than the Springboks. This year they have mauled less and primarily in the attacking third. Otherwise they have tended to set like they are going to maul and then play around the corner or shove the ball out the back. They arent also hitting the crash ball carrier constantly but instead they are choosing to use their width or a big carrying forward in wider areas. While their maul is varied the scrum is still a blunt instrument winning penalties before the backs have a go. Some teams have chosen to blunt their set piece game for more control. The All Blacks are kicking more penalties and are using their powerful scrum as an attacking tool choosing that set piece as an attacking weapon. Their willingness to maul more and in different positions is also becoming more prominent. The French continue to play conservative rugby off the set piece using their big bruisers frequently. The set piece is used differently by different teams. Different teams play different ways and can be successful regardless. They can win games with little territory and possession or smash teams with plenty of both. The game of rugby is for all types and sizes and thats true in the modern era. I hope that administrators keep it that way and dont go further towards a Rugby League style situation. Some administrators are of the opinion that rugby is too slow and needs to be sped up. Why not rather empower teams to choose how they want to play and create a framework that favours neither size nor agility. That favours neither slow tempo play or rock n roll rugby. Create a game that favour both and challenge teams to execute their plans. If World Rugby can create a game like that then it will be the ultimate winner.

35 Go to comments
J
JW 8 hours ago
'Let's not sugarcoat it': Former All Black's urgent call to protect eligibility rules

Yep, no one knows what will happen. Thing is I think (this is me arguing a point here not a random debate with this one) they're better off trialing it now in a controlled environment than waiting to open it up in a knee jerk style reaction to a crumbling organtization and team. They can always stop it again.


The principle idea is that why would players leave just because the door is ajar?


BBBR decides to go but is not good enough to retain the jersey after doing it. NZ no longer need to do what I suggest by paying him to get back upto speed. That is solely a concept of a body that needs to do what I call pick and stick wth players. NZR can't hold onto everyone so they have to choose their BBBRs and if that player comes back from a sabbatical under par it's a priority to get him upto speed as fast as possible because half of his competition has been let go overseas because they can't hold onto them all. Changing eligibility removes that dilemma, if a BBBR isn't playing well you can be assured that someone else is (well the idea is that you can be more assured than if you only selected from domestic players).


So if someone decides they want to go overseas, they better do it with an org than is going to help improve them, otherwise theyre still basically as ineligible as if they would have been scorning a NZ Super side that would have given them the best chance to be an All Black.

147 Go to comments
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