Six Nations: Galthié unveils the composition of the Blues to face Wales, with eight changes

A big laundry. For the first time since taking office, Fabien Galthié has completely reshaped his team from one match to the next. The poor draw conceded in Lille against Italy (13-13) left its mark. For the fourth match of the Six Nations Tournament, Sunday in Wales (4 p.m.), eight changes were made - more than half of the starting XV -, some forced (injury, suspension), others by sporting choice .

Thus, four neophytes will honor their first international cap on Sunday. Full-back Léo Barré (Stade Français), center Nicolas Depoortère (UBB) and second-row Emmanuel Meafou (Toulouse) will start at the Principality Stadium. On the substitutes' bench, right pillar Georges-Henri Colombe (La Rochelle), preferred to Dorian Aldgheri (Toulouse), should honor his first international selection. Bringing the number of new capes in Cardiff to four.

The injury to fly-half Matthieu Jalibert (UBB) and the suspension of center Jonathan Danty (La Rochelle) reshuffled the cards in the Blues back line. Thomas Ramos (Toulouse) will slide from the back to the opening and Léo Barré will start with number 15, he who also presents a fly-half profile.

The tricolor hinge will be completely new since it is the young Nolann Le Garrec (Racing 92), replacement during the first three matches, who was started in place of Maxime Lucu (UBB), under fire from criticism since the start of the Tournament, in the absence of Antoine Dupont who shone with the French team at 7. At the center of the attack, the French staff decided to launch the promising Nicolas Depoortère into the deep end, impressive this season with the 'UBB, in the absence of Jonathan Danty, whose Tournament is over after the red card he received against the Nazionale.

In the pack, the third row and captain, Grégory Alldritt, makes his return, after the healing of his thigh injury. The second line is completely overhauled - and completely Toulouse - with the returns from injuries of Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Maefou, recently naturalized French and now eligible for the Blues. The big loser in the affair is Cameron Woki, who was not retained in the group and was even released to participate in the 18th day of the Top 14 with Racing 92, in great difficulty (3 victories during his 13 last matches).

France has five consecutive wins against Wales since 2020, including four in the Tournament. With notably two short successes at the Principality Stadium (formerly Millennium), in 2020 (23-27) and in 2022 (9-13).

Barré - Penaud, Fickou, Depoortère, Bielle-Biarrey - (o) Ramos, (m) Le Garrec - Ollivon, Alldritt (cap), Cros - Meafou, Flament - Atonio, Marchand, Baille.

Substitutes: Mauvaka, S. Taofifenua, Colombe, R. Taofifenua, Roumat, Boudehent, Lucu, Moefana.

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