France squad: Leinster prop earns shock recall as captain Antoine Dupont returns and Pro D2 earns left-field call for Six Nations

France head coach Fabien Galthie has named an incredibly strong squad for the Six Nations, but all eyes were on starlet Noah Nene and returning tighthead Rabah Slimani.

20-year-old Dax back Nene, who is 6’4 and 103 kg, has impressed in the Pro D2 this season, and could be the ideal replacement for the injured Jonathan Danty.

Slimani also earns a surprise return to the squad after a five-year absence after his impressive form for Leinster in the URC.

Antoine Dupont returns as captain

Elsewhere in the squad, Galthie has gone as strong as he possibly can, with skipper Antoine Dupont returning to play in the Six Nations after missing last year’s Championship due to his Sevens commitments. Maxime Lucu and Nolann le Garrec will provide the captain with stern competition, however.

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Fly-half is also an incredibly strong area for France this Championship. Thomas Ramos has been Galthie’s go-to man at 10 in 2024, but the return of Romain Ntamack could force him back to full-back.

Matthieu Jalibert also earns a spot in the side, despite his public fallout with Galthie during the autumn.

Other key names in the backline include Damian Penaud, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Gabin Villiere.

Turning attention to the pack, the aforementioned Slimani is part of a formidable French front-row unit including Uini Atonio, Peato Mauvaka, Julien Marchand and Cyril Baille.

Galthie has also named a very strong back five group too, including Thibaud Flament, Gregory Alldritt, Anthony Jelonch, Francois Cros and Emmanuel Meafou.

France Six Nations squad in full

Forwards: Esteban Abadie, Dorian Aldegheri, Gregory Alldritt, Uini Atonio, Hugo Auradou, Cyril Baille, Giorgi Beria, Paul Boudehent, Joshua Brennan, Georges-Henri Colombe, Francois Cros, Marko Gazzotti, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Matthias Halagahu, Oscar Jegou, Anthony Jelonch, Maxime Lamothe, Julien Marchand, Peato Mauvaka, Emmanuel Meafou, Dany Priso, Rabah Slimani, Romain Taofifenua

Backs: Theo Attissogbe, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Leo Barre, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Nicolas Depoortere, Gael Drean, Antoine Dupont, Antoine Frisch, Emilien Gailleton, Matthieu Jalibert, Nolann le Garrec, Maxime Lucu, Yoram Moefana, Noah Nene, Romain Ntamack, Damien Penaud, Thomas Ramos, Gabin Villiere

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