Marcoussis (France) (AFP)

Vincent Rattez forfeited, Damian Penaud uncertain, Gabriel Ngandebe inexperienced ... Gaël Fickou, usual center, could slide on the left wing Saturday against Wales, on behalf of the third day of the Six Nations Tournament.

Defense captain, Fickou is, with 53 selections, the most experienced player called by Fabien Galthié and his staff. It is therefore not surprising that the player from the Stade Français comes to play the firefighters on duty when facing hell in the Millennium in Cardiff, where the Blues have not been taxed since February 26, 2010.

Of this team, which had won 26-20 on the road to its last Grand Slam, already on the third day, there is obviously no one left and the hooker of the time William Servat is now in the staff of the XV of France.

The French melee coach will no doubt have advice to offer to the Blues, who have not beaten the Welsh since a 20-18 success in 2017.

Three years ago, Fickou was already titular, in the center this time. The former Toulousain has only played nine matches in the jersey of the XV of France on the wing, including five as a holder and a single test, in 2018 ... against Wales (14-13 defeat of blue).

Center Virimi Vakatawa and left pillar Cyril Baille, who started on Saturday, are the other survivors of this 2017 victory. Camille Chat and Antoine Dupont, who had started the game on the bench.

- Vincent returned, Vakatawa back -

Unsurprisingly, Dupont, despite slight back pain that handicapped him during the week, will hold the post of scrum half, alongside his teammate at Toulouse Romain Ntamack at the opening.

Continuity also at the front since the eight which had walked on England (24-17) before dominating Italy (35-22) should be renewed with a first line Baille-Marchand-Haouas before the "Franco-Boks" Paul Willemse (27, 7 selections) and Bernard Le Roux (30, 39 selections).

The captain and third row Charles Ollivon (26, 13 selections) obviously retains his place, alongside the precious François Cros (25, 4 selections) and the essential Grégory Alldritt (22, 13 selections), left to rest during the Wednesday session.

Montpellier's Anthony Bouthier (27, 2 caps) will start in the back, as will Teddy Thomas (26, 18 caps) on the right wing.

Damien Penaud was spared during the week after missing the first two games of the Six Nations Tournament due to a left calf injury. The possible absence of Clermontois, combined with that of Rochelais Vincent Rattez (fibula fracture), would therefore send Fickou on the wing and allow young Arthur Vincent (20 years, 2 selections) to start his second row match with the Blues when he settled next to the returning Virimi Vakatawa (27, 22 caps), out against Italy due to a triceps injury.

Probable team: Bouthier (or Ramos) - Thomas, Vakatawa, Vincent, Fickou - (o) Ntamack, (m) Dupont - Ollivon (cap.), Alldritt, Cros - Willemse, Le Roux - Haouas, Marchand (or Chat), Baille

© 2020 AFP