Cédric Chasseur 11:55 a.m., February 8, 2024

France Fabien Galthié announced this Thursday noon the composition of the French XV, called to face Scotland on Saturday in Edinburgh (3:15 p.m.) for the second day of the VI Nations tournament. The Blues coach has decided to largely renew his confidence in the players soundly beaten by Ireland last Friday in Marseille (14-38). Only two new elements appear in the starting fifteen. 

Now is not the time for revolution. Despite the heavy opening defeat (14-38) against Ireland in Marseille, Fabien Galthié decided to bring back almost the same team for the second match of the VI Nations Tournament. The French XV coach made only two changes to his starting fifteen to face Scotland on Saturday at Murrayfield. 

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Cameron Woki and Louis Bielle-Biarrey starters

Deprived of Paul Willemse, suspended four weeks after his red card received at the Vélodrome, Fabien Galthié chose to revive Racing 92 player Cameron Woki, indisputable starter during the World Cup and substitute at kick-off against Ireland . He will be lined up alongside Paul Gabrillagues, author of one of the Blues' two tries last Friday. The other change concerns the back lines. Louis Bielle-Biarrey, revelation of the World Cup, confined to a finishing role in Marseille, finds a starting place. The Yoram Moefana experience, professional center and substitute in Scotland, only lasted one match. 

See you Saturday at 3:15 p.m.! #ECOFRA#XVdeFrance#NeFaisonsXVpic.twitter.com/KqF7N5gVTW

— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) February 8, 2024

“Our desire is the group, it’s the team,” explained Fabien Galthié when discussing his choices, and the desire not to shake up the hierarchy, despite the defeat. “We performed as a group, we lost as a group. We want to keep this structure, even if we want to give space to young people,” explained the boss of the Blues, for whom the only objective is “to make this team win again of France". On the bench, Posolo Tuilagi, Perpignan's second line, only 19 years old, gets another chance to show the extent of his talent. At 27, Alexandre Roumat, third row of Toulouse, should experience his first selection with the Blues. 

The holders

  • Cyril Baille

  • Peato Mauvaka

  • Uini Atonio

  • Cameron Woki

  • Paul Gabrillagues

  • François Cros

  • Charles Ollivon

  • Gregory Alldritt (cap.)

  • Maxime Lucu

  • Matthew Jalibert

  • Louis Bielle-Biarrey

  • Jonathan Danty

  • Gaël Fickou

  • Damian Penaud

  • Tom Ramos

    • The replacements

  • Julien Marchand

  • Sébastien Taofifenua

  • Dorian Aldegheri

  • Posolo Tuilagi

  • Alexandre Roumat

  • Paul Boudehent

  • Nolan Le Garrec

  • Yoram Moefana