Marcoussis (France) (AFP)

The day after a first collective session "high intensity", the coach of the XV of France Fabien Galthié delivered his first list for eight months, passing the group of 31 players to 23 to face Wales.

This autumn list had a familiar face since twenty-one players summoned for Saturday's preparatory meeting were already present in Cardiff at the end of February, during the historic victory of the Blues (27-23).

To this group of 23, which unsurprisingly includes the captain and third row Charles Ollivon, the center Gaël Fickou or the 100% Toulouse hinge formed by Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack, are added five reservists: two Racingmen (Klemenczak, Colombe), a Rochelais (Retière), a Toulousain (Mauvaka) and a Pau (Pesenti).

They remain with the Blues in the event of a hard blow.

Three other players, on the other hand, leave Marcoussis and return to their club, in accordance with the amendment to the agreement between the Federation and the League signed just before the rally in Marcoussis: the second line of Lyon Killian Geraci, the Toulon winger Gabin Villière and the third row of Toulouse Selevasio Tolofua.

For the others, it was a "day of low activity, reduced on the living and playing environment," coach Fabien Galthié explained at a press conference.

After a photo shoot in the middle of the day, the Blues concerned by the shock against the XV du Poireau, Saturday, joined Chantilly (Oise).

© 2020 AFP