Marcoussis (France) (AFP)
In front of several hundred spectators, the XV of France trained on Saturday to prepare for the next Six Nations match in Wales, without Damian Penaud, Camille Chat and Romain Ntamack, who remained on the sidelines.
Absent against England (24-17) and Italy (35-22), Penaud and Chat, two potential holders in Cardiff next Saturday, obviously did not fully recover from their calf injury. For Ntamack, one of the craftsmen of the two French victories, this rest seems due to a blow received last week.
The three players spent the training sitting on the bench, dressed but without running, refueling all the same with a chocolate bar to avoid the cravings.
Behind them, the grandstand of the Marcoussis national rugby center stadium (Essonne) was full of about 800 spectators, who came to feel the new wind of this French team, Fabien Galthié version.
Shy "Allez les Bleus" were sometimes chanted by the children, waving the blue white red flag and recognizing certain players: "Dupont, Dupont", "Ntamack, Ntamack", the two elements of the hinge, having the most their favor.
Back from a triceps injury during the France-England Crunch, the explosive center Virimi Vakatawa was on the ground.
Gathered at 28 in Marcoussis, the XV of France was able to train in match condition against the France team under 20 years old. After this session at "high intensity", according to the practice consecrated by the blue staff, where downtime was prohibited, the players lent themselves to a signing session.
After the 15th day of Top 14 this weekend, which began with the victory of Bordeaux against Lyon (37-19), 14 players will again come to flesh out the XV of France, forming an enlarged group of 42 players as it is the case since the start of the preparation for the Tournament.
© 2020 AFP