Marcoussis (France) (AFP)

No Valves?

France XV full-back Anthony Bouthier cut Wednesday's training session, the only high-intensity one of the week, and could miss the match in Vannes on Sunday against Fiji.

Now in Montpellier, Bouthier (28 years old, 6 caps) is uncertain after taking a blow to the left knee.

Quickly released after a tackle, the former RC Vannes player (2014-2019) spent the end of the session with an ice pack on his leg, grimacing.

This injury could reshuffle the cards for coach Fabien Galthié who, during this session, had changed a lot of things anyway, giving an indication of the composition that could face the Fijians in the Autumn Nations Cup.

In the first row, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Camille Chat and Demba Bamba could thus start, just like Romain Taofifenua in the second row, in place of Paul Willemse.

Unsurprisingly, Lyonnais Dylan Cretin should replace injured François Cros, while the return of winger Teddy Thomas would allow Gaël Fickou to slide back to the center.

The morning and the beginning of the afternoon were devoted to the care and to the individual preparation before the big session of the end of the afternoon, which lasted a good hour.

The Blues are gathered in Marcoussis to prepare for their entry into the Autumn Nations Cup, an eight-way competition with the Six Nations but also Fiji and Georgia as guest nations.

After dominating Wales (38-21) and Ireland (35-27), France launches its autumn tournament by the Flying Fijians before a trip to Scotland the following week then the reception of Italy on November 28 .

Coach Fabien Galthié will announce the list of 23 players selected for the trip to Morbihan on Friday morning.

© 2020 AFP