Saint-Denis (AFP)
Young hopefuls or players with extraordinary courses, they have no or very few selections but form the new face of the XV of France before the start of the Six Nations Tournament against England, Sunday.
When singing the Marseillaise during the Crunch at the Stade de France (4:00 p.m.), seven players (four incumbents and three substitutes) will count none, one or two selections in the 23 tricolors chosen by the coach Fabien Galthié, who will also celebrate his baptism of fire.
. Julien Marchand, 24, 2 selections
Like the new Blues captain Charles Ollivon, Marchand is a ghost. The hooker and captain of the Stade Toulousain experienced an eventful beginning of history with the XV of France. Entered the place of former captain Guilhem Guirado for his first selection in November 2018, he experienced the first French defeat against Fiji, at the Stade de France (21-14).
When he came in for the second time against the Welsh (defeated 24-19) in the 2019 Tournament, he broke his cruciate ligaments and missed the World Cup in the fall. Sunday, he will take advantage of Camille Chat's injury to start his story again in Blue, in the shoes of a holder.
. Mohamed Haouas, 25, 0 selection
In the genre of new courses, Haouas plays the card thoroughly. Arrived at 15 in Montpellier, he was placed under judicial control at 20 before hatching in the Top 14 during the 2017/18 season and winning in the last six months (13 tenures).
Thanks to his obstinacy, his slaughter and his movements, the solid right pillar (1.85 m, 127 kg) caught the eye of Galthié to start the Tournament.
. François Cros, 25, 2 selections
Champion of France 2019 like Marchand, Cros is a pure Toulouse native. The third versatile line has a classic route, passed by the French youth teams and the Toulouse training center.
Preselected for the World Cup, he does not appear in the final group but participates in two preparation matches, holder during the victory against Scotland (32-3) and entered the game against Italy (47-19 ).
. Anthony Bouthier, 27, 0 selection
Still a mason six years ago, Bouthier is the opposite of the "typical" course. The rear native of Pouillon (Landes) had to cross a few passes and laces on its way to the blue summit. First among the young people of Dax, he climbs in Federal 1 mode then in Pro D2 with the Bretons of Vannes, where he continues the tests.
This year in Montpellier, Bouthier continues his momentum in the Top 14 and in the European Cup, playing 17 matches including 14 starts, for six tries and some transformations and penalties.
. Matthieu Jalibert, 21, 1 selection
Sensation this season (97 points on the clock) of the Top 14 with Bordeaux-Bègles, Jalibert is undoubtedly led to play a role in this team from France. At his half-opening position, he faces tough competition with Toulousain Romain Ntamack (20, 12 caps), holder on Sunday, and Toulonais Louis Carbonel (20), who is waiting for his time.
His only memory with the Blues is a defeat against Ireland, at the 2018 Tournament, at the Stade de France (15-13), in which he had seriously injured his left knee.
. Boris Palu, 23, 0 selection
Thanks to its versatility, the 2nd Palu line has become an essential part of Racing 92, used 18 times (17 starts), to often play all 80 minutes as N.5, N.4 or N.7 in 3rd line.
Born in Toulouse, he played with the French Barbarians against Tonga (defeat 38-49 at the end of 2018) and logically applies for a first selection if he enters the Crunch.
. Cameron Woki, 21, 0 selection
Trained in Bobigny and then in Massy, Woki is one of the children of the Ile-de-France oval. However, he left the Paris region for the Bordeaux-Bègles Union in 2017 to flourish at the high level.
Very used in his first season, he won with the XV of France U20 the Tournament and the World Cup in 2018. Sunday, he will settle in the replacement chair, of course, but among adults.
© 2020 AFP