Paris (AFP)

Brice Dulin at the back and Gabin Villière who accompanies Teddy Thomas on the wings are the two big changes for coach Fabien Galthié for the opening match of the 2021 Six Nations Tournament, Saturday (3.15 p.m.) against Italy in Rome.

For his second campaign at the head of the Blues in the Tournament, Galthié has chosen to deprive himself of Anthony Bouthier, holder at the back during the 2020 edition, and to leave winger Damian Penaud, back in the group after an injury, on the bench.

Dulin and Villière won their place thanks to convincing performances in late November and early December when the coach had to field an encore team for the end of the Autumn Nations Cup, in order to respect the agreement agreed with the clubs.

The holders having reached the quota of three match sheets then in force, Galthié had rejuvenated his workforce against Italy (success 36-5) then in the final against England on December 6 in London.

But against all expectations, this bis team had stood up to the vice-world champions and winners of the 2020 Tournament, only yielding after extra time (22-19 ap).

Author of the only French test of the meeting, Dulin had confirmed at the age of 30 his return to the highest level, even finishing as the best player in this ephemeral competition born of the health crisis.

Villière took the opportunity to reveal himself, even scoring his first try in his first selection against Italy at the end of November.

The emergence of the Toulonnais had already removed Vincent Rattez from the list.

But it is also slowing the return of Penaud, who had missed all of the fall tests due to an ankle injury.

"Damian is back, with all his qualities," noted Galthié.

"But it's very difficult to get into the team. There is a lot of emulation (and) players are in place and very present," he explained during a press conference.

- Sanitary bubble -

Unsurprisingly, center Arthur Vincent replaces Virimi Vakatawa, forfeited due to a knee injury.

Dylan Cretin holds the position of the third wing in place of François Cros, also forfeited due to a painful right foot.

Opener Matthieu Jalibert, Romain Ntamack's usual understudy, also absent (jaw), will form the hinge with scrum half Antoine Dupont.

Faced also with the absence of the usual replacements (hooker Camille Chat, right pillar Demba Bamba, back Thomas Ramos), Galthié notably retained on the bench the right pillar Dorian Aldegheri, hooker Pierre Bourgarit, third row Anthony Jelonch and opener Louis Carbonel.

Like Dulin and Villière, they had participated in the memorable Final of the Nations Cup of Nations at Twickenham.

Jelonch, who can evolve in N.8 in the relay of Gregory Alldritt, is preferred to Cameron Woki who also distinguished himself during this meeting.

France launches its conquest of a first title in the Tournament since 2010 against the Nazionale, the weakest team of the Tournament on paper in a context of resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic.

The Blues, who prepared for Nice in a health bubble, finished in second place in the 2020 edition, with the same number of points as England, first, but a poorer goal average.

© 2021 AFP