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Power duo of Dupont & Ntamack return for clash versus Wales

Dupont Ntamack
Fabien Galthié has named his French side to face Wales on Friday 31st January in Six Nations opener

French star Damian Penaud is unavailable for France’s round one clash against Wales on Friday night in Paris, having succumbed to a toe injury sustained in training this week. Twenty-year-old Théo Attissogbe has been chosen to replace the seasoned winger. Attissogbe earned his first cap during the 2024 Autumn Nations Series against Japan. He is partnered by Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who has been named as the other starting winger.

Romain Ntamack returns to partner Antoine Dupont at half-back after recovering from a serious knee injury that sidelined him for the 2023 World Cup and last year’s Six Nations. “It’s an old new hinge that has a lot of experience and shared understanding. Antoine and Romain must feel this form of ease, of freedom,” said Fabien Galthié.

Jean-Baptiste Gros, Peato Mauvaka, and Uini Atonio are named in the front row to face Wales. In the absence of Thibaud Flament, who has been ruled out due to injury, Alexandre Roumat starts in the second row alongside Emmanuel Meafou. The back row consists of François Cros, Paul Boudehent, and Grégory Alldritt.

Pierre-Louis Barassi, who has been in fine form with Toulouse, regains his starting spot for the first time since 2021, partnering Yoram Moefana in the centres. Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Théo Attissogbe start on the wings, while Thomas Ramos returns to his preferred position at full-back to complete the back three.

Head coach Fabien Galthié has opted for a six-two split on the bench, with Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille, and Georges-Henri Colombe named as the front-row replacements. Hugo Auradou, Mickaël Guillard, and Oscar Jegou provide second-row and back-row cover. Nolann Le Garrec and Émilien Gailleton are the two back replacements on the bench.

France team to face Wales

1. Jean-Baptiste Gros (25 ans, 32 sélections, RC Toulon)

2. Peato Mauvaka (28 ans, 37 sélections, Stade Toulousain)

3. Uini Atonio (34 ans, 63 sélections, Stade Rochelais)

4. Alexandre Roumat (27 ans, 7 sélections, Stade Toulousain)

5. Emmanuel Meafou (26 ans, 5 sélections, Stade Toulousain)

6. François Cros (30 ans, 34 sélections, Stade Toulousain)

7. Paul Boudehent (25 ans, 14 sélections, Stade Rochelais)

8. Grégory Alldritt (27 ans, 51 sélections, Stade Rochelais)

9. Antoine Dupont (28 ans, 55 sélections, Stade Toulousain) ©

10. Romain Ntamack (25 ans, 37 sélections, Stade Toulousain)

11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey (21 ans, 14 sélections, Union Bordeaux Bègles)

12. Yoram Moefana (24 ans, 31 sélections, Union Bordeaux Bègles)

13. Pierre-Louis Barassi (26 ans, 3 sélections, Stade Toulousain)

14. Théo Attissogbe (20 ans, 3 sélections, Section Paloise)

15. Thomas Ramos (29 ans, 39 sélections, Stade Toulousain)

Replacements

16. Julien Marchand (29 ans, 40 sélections, Stade Toulousain)

17. Cyril Baille (31 ans, 52 sélections, Stade Toulousain)

18. Georges-Henri Colombe (26 ans, 7 sélections, Stade Rochelais)

19. Hugo Auradou (21 ans, 1 sélection, Section Paloise)

20. Mickaël Guillard (24 ans, 5 sélections, LOU Rugby)

21. Oscar Jegou (21 ans, 1 sélection, Stade Rochelais)

22. Nolann Le Garrec (22 ans, 7 sélections, Racing 92)

23. Émilien Gailleton (21 ans, 6 sélections, Section Paloise)