On the other hand, the Bordeaux-Bègles opener Matthieu Jalibert (23 years old, 23 caps), hit in the left ankle during Wednesday's session, is forfeited for the trip to London.

Cros (28, 18 caps) and Falatea (25, 10 caps) come respectively to replace Anthony Jelonch, injured, and Mohamed Haouas, suspended for a whim during a clearing during the match won against Scotland (32-31) fifteen days ago.

The Toulousain had not started since the 2022 Six Nations Tournament and a 25-13 success on March 19 against … England.

Falatea, he would live his first tenure since the summer tour in Australia.

He was a substitute in the first three matches of the 2023 Tournament.

In the three-quarters, except for a last-minute blow, no change is to be expected, with a rear triangle made up of Toulouse's Thomas Ramos (27, 23 caps) in 15, Clermontois Damian Penaud (26, 40 sel.) and Lyonnais Ethan Dumortier (21, 3 sel.) on the wings.

Status quo

The duo Gaël Fickou (28 years old, 77 caps) and Yoram Moefana (22 years old, 14 caps) could be renewed for the fourth time in a row.

The 100% Toulouse hinge, formed by Antoine Dupont (25 years old, 45 caps) at the scrum and Romain Ntamack (23 years old, 34 caps) at the opening, should be aligned together for the twenty-fifth time.

Fly-half Matthieu Jalibert receives treatment for his left ankle during training for the French rugby team, Wednesday March 8, 2023 in Marcoussis (Essonne) © Emmanuel DUNAND / AFP

Victim of a rupture of the posterior cruciate ligament at the end of December, the center of La Rochelle Jonathan Danty (30 years old, 18 caps), returned to competition faster than expected, should take place on the bench, alongside the scrum half from Bordeaux-Bègles Maxime Lucu (30 years old, 11 caps).

Since 2020 and the arrival of Fabien Galthié at the head of the XV of France, the Blues have beaten the XV of the Rose at the Stade de France at the opening of the 2020 Tournament (24-17) then in 2022 (25-13).

But they remain on two losses in England (22-19 ap in December 2020 then 23-20 in March 2021).

Probable composition of the XV of France against England: Ramos - Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Dumortier - (o) Ntamack, (m) Dupont (cap.) - Ollivon, Alldritt, Cros - Willemse, Flament - Falatea, Marchand, Baille

© 2023 AFP