Aligned in the center to make room for Matthieu Jalibert during the first two matches of the tour, Ntamack thus recovers his position as opener and therefore sends the N.10 from Bordeaux-Bègles to the bench.

A strategic option to respond to the power of New Zealanders and put the "intensity" demanded by manager Raphaël Ibanez in the week.

"We had two matches to test. It's a performance objective. We chose this formula to attack the match: it is above all a performance choice rather than a default choice", explained coach Fabien Galthié .

"Antoine and Romain have a lot of collective experience at Stade Toulouse," he added.

With Ntamack in the center and Jalibert at the opening, the Blues dominated Argentina (29-20) and Georgia (41-15) but the combination of the two talents, exciting on paper, seemed seized on the ground .

"I have always said, and I have never hidden it, that my position was opener. But, as long as I'm on the pitch, I don't necessarily have a preference. I fight for it. jersey. My first position is opener, I want to be seen as such and I have already said it. Afterwards, if I am made to evolve in the center for strategic reasons, I would play there with pleasure ", Ntamack confessed in an interview with AFP.

It is therefore with a hinge 100% made in Stade Toulouse, champion of France and Europe, aligned for the eighth time in Blue, that the XV of France will tackle its last challenge of November: New Zealand, his haka, his three world championship titles, his legendary jersey and his stars in spades.

"The best team of the moment"

What to reassure a little before challenging the All Blacks, whom the Blues have not beaten since 2009 but who were taken by the throat by Ireland (29-20) last week.

"When you know the quality of the opponent, he has relief, he is challenging. This French team is the best at the moment," Galthié continued.

Scrum half Antoine Dupont (center) and opener Romain Ntamack (ball in hand) during a training session of the XV of France in Marcoussis, October 28, 2020 Anne-Christine POUJOULAT AFP / Archives

In the center, in place of Ntamack, Jonathan Danty (29 years old, 9 sel.) Finds his former friend of the Stade Français Gaël Fickou (27 years old, 64 sel.), In the absence of the usual candidates Virimi Vakatawa (29 years old, 30 sel.) And Arthur Vincent (22, 14 sel.), Both injured.

"You have to find a balance: densify yes but you have to be able to move, with and without the ball," said the coach.

In total, Fabien Galthié made five changes compared to the starting XV who dominated Georgia in Bordeaux: in addition to Danty, hooker Peato Mauvaka replaces Julien Marchand, who suffered a rib injury;

Romain Taofifenua gives way to Paul Willemse in the second row;

François Cros compensates for Sekou Macalou, injured in the foot, in the third line;

Gabin Villière regains his starting place in the wing at the expense of Matthis Lebel.

It should also be noted that Melvyn Jaminet will live her sixth consecutive selection at the back after having exploded in the eyes of the world during the tour in Australia and that the usual flanker Cameron Woki has gained ground and will again be launched in the second row , alongside Willemse.

The Blues hope to take advantage of the fatigue of the New Zealanders, who will play their 15th game on Saturday since July, to end a series of 14 losses against the men in black.

But the All Blacks, physically dominated in Ireland, have not fallen twice in a row for a year and two losses against Australia (24-22) then Argentina (25-15).

The colossus Paul Willemse with the XV of France against the Argentinian Pumas of the center Matias Moroni, during the test match played at the Stade de France, November 6, 2021 Anne-Christine POUJOULAT AFP / Archives

The France team has lost only once at the Stade de France since Fabien Galthié took office in early 2020. It was against Scotland (27-23) in March.

It's time to dream.

© 2021 AFP