Lyon winger Ethan Dumortier will have a good time his first cap for France when the defending champions begin their Six Nations marketing campaign with a visit to Italy on Sunday.
As Les Bleus proceed their journey in direction of the house World Cup later this yr, Dumortier stands in for Gabin Villiere, who was dominated out of all the championship with a fibula fracture.
Thomas Ramos was named at fullback by head coach Fabien Galthie on Thursday on the expense of Melvyn Jaminet, who doesn’t even function within the 23-man squad.
Gael Fickou and Yoram Moefana will pair up at centre.
“We completed second twice in a row earlier than profitable it with a Grand Slam (final yr) however our journey shouldn’t be completed,” Galthie informed a information convention.
“We’re going to get higher as a result of our crew has not but reached the age of maturity,” he added, looking forward to the September 8-October 28 World Cup, after the crew welcomed the disgraced Bernard Laporte at their coaching camp.
“Our mission is a purely sporting one. Final evening we invited Bernard, as a result of if France organizes the World Cup, it is due to him,” basic supervisor Raphael Ibanez stated.
“And that is the place the deep motivation of our gamers comes from. The workers, it is him, too.”
Laporte resigned as president of the French rugby federation (FFR) final Friday after being convicted of affect peddling and illegally buying property final December.
Staff: 15-Thomas Ramos, 14-Damian Penaud, 13-Gael Fickou, 12-Yoram Moefana, 11-Ethan Dumortier, 10-Romain Ntamack, 9-Antoine Dupont (capt); 8-Gregory Alldritt, 7-Charles Ollivon, 6-Anthony Jelonch, 5-Paul Willemse, 4-Thibaud Flament, 3-Uini Atonio, 2-Julien Marchand, 1-Cyril Baille. Replacements: 16-Gaetan Barlot, 17-Reda Wardi, 18-Sipili Falatea, 19-Romain Taofifenua, 20-Thomas Lavault, 21-Sekou Macalou, 22-Nolan Le Garrec, 23-Matthieu Jalibert.
