Marcoussis (France) (AFP)
In support of the captain: coach Jacques Brunel has confirmed Wednesday Guilhem Guirado, still "leader" of the XV of France although placed on the bench for the last match of preparation for the World Cup Friday against Italy at the Stade de France .
This was one of the surprises of the composition on Tuesday: after a small game as holder on Saturday in Scotland (17-14 defeat), the hooker will sit on the bench at the expense of Camille Chat, for the last test run before Japan (20 September-2 November), just three weeks before the entry of the Blues on 21 September against Argentina.
Guirado (33 years, 69 sel.), Spared against Scotland in Nice (32-3) August 17 during the first game of preparation, so will have started only one of three rounds of heating. Where he has also delivered a disappointing performance, little leg in the game and in trouble in scrum and touch.
In his defense, the Catalan returned to competition three months after his last match, with Toulon Castres. But Chat, after shining in Nice, was the author of a tonic entry to Murrayfield, even though he experienced waste.
From there to be able to take the place of Guirado for the entry in the face of the Pumas? Brunel was clear about his captain, whose status had faltered during the last six-nation tournament: "Guilhem remains the leader of this team, this group is undeniable. changed."
- Two matches in four days -
The coach has certainly praised the qualities of Chat, who "has shown great intentions, made a good entry last weekend.We know his weapons, his assets, we do not discover it."
But he assured that "this composition does not (presaged) anything of that of September 21". And that the Racingman had been tenured Friday to garner time in anticipation of one of two matches that will take place in just four days, the Blues in Japan, the 2 (United States) and October 6 (Tonga ). Chat will start one of them. "This team has also been formed for the very close matches that we will meet at the World Cup, and we will have to have various possibilities in the composition to assume, which is why we find Guilhem on the bench." so explained Brunel.
It is also in this perspective that we must read, "at first" according to Brunel, the shift from the center to the wing of Gaël Fickou. While the return of Athur Iturria in second line is explained by the punctual absences at the post (the Roux and Gabrillagues suspended Vahaamahina injured).
- Picamoles expected at the turn -
Romain Ntamack was tenured at the opening after having started on the bench the first two meetings. The Toulousain, ironed behind Camille Lopez, will cut a card important in the absence of Clermontois, spared for a pain to the ribs.
For the role of scorer N.1 remains to be taken after the 3/6 signed by Lopez in Nice and the difficulties in the game of Thomas Ramos in Edinburgh. "We need a reliable striker in the team (?) Indeed it will be interesting to see what behavior (Ntamack) will have, then we will make a decision" for the place of opener holder, so launched Brunel.
Three other players will not be missing Friday if they want them, simply, make the trip to Japan: Wenceslas Lauret, Louis Picamoles and Yacouba Camara, who start for the first time during this preparation, in third line where two players will stay on the side.
"(Picamoles) plays big like Wenceslas Lauret and Yacouba Camara," admitted Brunel. "There is a competition: two players named substitutes, (François) Cros and (Charles) Ollivon, showed through the meetings that they could apply for a different role, those who will play tomorrow will also show it."
© 2019 AFP