France predicted team: Les Bleus left hailing ‘the return of the King’ as Fabien Galthie rolls out ‘telepathic’ spine
From left to right: Fabien Galthie, Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont
Fabien Galthie has named an incredibly strong 42-man squad for the Six Nations, as France seek to break Ireland’s vice-grip on the title.
Les Bleus arguably come into the Championship as favourites, and his squad more than reflects his desire to win silverware in 2025.
Antoine Dupont is back in the squad after missing the 2024 edition through Sevens commitments, and he looks likely to reunite with long-standing half-back partner Romain Ntamack in blue this year, with the Toulouse number 10 back available for Test duty after a year of injury hell.
That in itself throws a spanner in the works though, with Thomas Ramos being Galthie’s chosen fly-half in 2024.
Galthie has once again selected a behemoth pack, with the likes of Uini Atonio, Gregory Alldritt and Francois Cros all named.
Without further ado, here is our prediction for the France starting XV.
15 Thomas Ramos
You’d imagine Toulouse back Ramos will be back in the 15 jersey this Six Nations, but he should still have a huge impact on the French squad. His attacking flair is a sight to behold when he gets going, and crucially has formed a brilliant axis with Ntamack and Dupont, which should get the whole French squad purring. His goal-kicking is also a big tick in his box.
14 Damian Penaud
Electric winger Damian Penaud is another man bang in form coming into the Championship, and he should play a pivotal role in his side’s success this year. The Bordeaux man is simply phenomenal in most areas of his game, but it’s his ability to sniff a try out of nowhere that makes him such a weapon for France.
13 Emilien Gailleton
This is a big chance for Emilien Gailleton to establish himself as a key man for France with Gael Fickou still on the sidelines. The Pau back is one of the most promising French talents in the game right now, and this will be another great chance to show he can be that Test level 13 to replace the iconic Fickou in the future.
12 Yoram Moefana
Bordeaux’s big bopper Yoram Moefana is in a similar boat to Gailleton too, as he can nail himself down in the 12 shirt with Jonathan Danty still out of action. Moefana has been in pretty good touch for his club side this season, and with a decent Bordeaux flavour to the backline this form should transition quite nicely across.
11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey
Speaking of in-form Bordeaux talents, live-wire winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey is probably the most dangerous winger in the world when on song, and will play a crucial role for his side this Six Nations. His devastating pace makes him a serious handful around the pitch, but he blends this with frightening attacking IQ as well. Just a seriously good rugby player.
10 Romain Ntamack
The return of the King! Ntamack is back in our France starting XV, and he could be set for a huge Six Nations. He is a different player to the one we last saw in a France jersey, after some hefty injuries, but that has actually brought out the best in him. His playmaking skills have been on full show this season, and again he just has a telepathic understanding with Dupont and Ramos which should get all three working wonders this Championship.
9 Antoine Dupont
Captain, leader, legend; Dupont is BACK! Everything the mercurial scrum-half touches seemingly turns to tries, but his way of effortlessly unlocking defences should have Wales quivering in their boots. He will also be keen to put his best foot forward to win World Rugby Player of the Year this year, and what better way to do that then winning a Grand Slam.
8 Gregory Alldritt
The La Rochelle number eight needs a big Six Nations to fend off the chasing pack, but pressure seems to get the best out of him. Alldritt is just a serious talent, and for a long time has been at the heart of France’s work up front with his effort levels and sheer brute physicality setting the tone for those around him. The challenge is if he can get back to this form.
7 Anthony Jelonch
Toulouse back-row Anthony Jelonch has really burst onto the scene in the past year, and the injury to Charles Ollivon has given him a big chance to nail down the number seven shirt. In his own right though, he is just an immense back-rower and will compliment the rest of the pack wonderfully.
6 Francois Cros
Potentially the most underrated player in world rugby right now, Cros is a shoo-in to start at six. He is the archetypal French back-rower, in that he is brilliant at lineout time and around the park, but crucially he never seems to have a bad game.
5 Emmanuel Meafou
The man-mountain Emmanuel Meafou should retain his spot at lock, as he continues to defy the laws of physics with his brand of sheer physicality and cute offloading. The Toulouse forward is just sensational in most facets of his game and should play a big role in the squad this year.
4 Thibaud Flament
Joining Meafou in the engine room should be Thibaud Flament, who plays an equally effective role as his clubmate in this French side. The former Loughborough student is a proper workhorse for his side and is one of their best breakdown operators too. A really important cog in this French pack.
3 Uini Atonio
The La Rochelle tighthead is proving indispensable for France at the minute, and he should again be the bolted-on starter against Wales. His scrummaging has been second-to-none for so many years, but his deft handling is also a real sight to behold. Tadhg Furlong might have set the blueprint for the modern-day prop, but Atonio perfected the art.
2 Peato Mauvaka
Hooker is a real strong point for France at the minute, but Peato Mauvaka should just hold onto the starting shirt. The Toulouse man has been one of his nation’s most consistent players during his Test career, and just does all the basic stuff really really well.
1 Cyril Baille
Rounding off this starting XV is fellow Toulouse man Cyril Baille, who has made the France number one jersey his own in recent seasons. Like Mauvaka, he seems to just do everything demanded of him expertly and will once again be needed to be on top form.
Replacements:
16 Julien Marchand, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 Romain Taofifenua 20 Paul Boudehent, 21 Marko Gazzotti 22 Nolann le Garrec, 23 Nicolas Depoortere
You’d imagine Galthie will pick a 6:2 split on the bench once again, and should pick a mix of strength and joue too. Rabah Slimani is the headline selection in our bench though, given his long absence from the Test side.
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