Predicted France team v All Blacks: Fabien Galthie to go ‘all in’ on Bordeaux-Begles core
Fabien Galthie (left) could select a core of Bordeaux-Begles players to face the All Blacks, including Maxime Lucu (centre) and Damian Penaud (right)
Ahead of France’s clash against the All Blacks at One NZ Stadium in Christchurch next weekend, here is how we think Fabien Galthie’s side will line up.
Les Bleus come into this Test in an interesting spot, with their Top 14 finalists heading straight to Australia and therefore unavailable, as well as a number of key personnel rested entirely this summer, but that does also give the boss a chance to mix things up.
But, even with a few fresh faces likely to be blooded in, there should be a heavy Bordeaux-Begles influence within the 23-man squad to take on the All Blacks, with the back-to-back Investec Champions Cup winners forming the core of Galthie’s extended group.
Backs
That is quickly made clear within the backline, with several Bordeaux’s heavy-hitters expected to start in this unit. Damian Penaud was arguably the headline call within Galthie’s final touring squad, considering his dramatic axing ahead of the Six Nations, and he could be set for a return to his natural position of wing for the All Blacks Test after a spell at 13 for UBB.
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You can also see the tried-and-trusted pairing of Nicolas Depoortere and Yoram Moefana starting in the centres, something that has worked wonders for France in the past as well as the European champions.
This also feels like the right time to go all in on the combination of Matthieu Jalibert and Maxime Lucu in the halves as well. While Jalibert has seemingly emerged as France’s number one number 10, Lucu is still unable to fully leapfrog over Antoine Dupont at Test level, with the Toulouse man preferred in the Six Nations, but the Bordeaux ace is probably in career-best form and, dare we say, among the form scrum-halves in the world right now too. Nolann le Garrec did have a decent run-out for France XV against England XV, it must be said, but Lucu is by far the front-runner for the starting shirt.
Elsewhere in the starting backline, the non-Bordeaux players will likely come in the back-three.
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Theo Attissogbe feels the probable starter at full-back for this Test, with the Pau ace impressing yet again against England XV, but that also leaves the door ajar for Max Spring to make his return to the Test side on the wing. This pairing is actually really interesting to deploy together, given they can both chop and change between wing and full-back, which could be a really nice dynamic to add in while also allowing Penaud to then hold his width.
With Galthie likely to again go 6:2 on his bench, that does open the door for Le Garrec to feature on the bench, with Fabien Brau-Boirie also in line to wear 23.
Forwards
There will also likely be a tint of vin rouge de Bordeaux in the pack as well, as the core continues to dominate selection. Marko Gazotti enjoyed a really, really good day against England XV at number eight, and this seems like a good time to give him a go in the run-on group and see how he goes, with him likely to be a big part of the France squad for years to come. Clubmate Temo Matitu could also get the nod at number six for this one, as he continues to build Test experience.
Maxime Lamoth and Jefferson Poirot should also start following their impressive seasons.
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Around them, though, Galthie should turn to some of his key men. Oscar Jegou seems a certainty to come onto the flank at number seven, with him starting seven of France’s past eight Tests, while Mickaël Guillard and Tom Staniforth are very much probable starters at lock. Crucially, all three men like to get their hands on the ball in the tight, and will take the load off Gazzotti a touch in that department.
Sipili Falatea could also get the nod at tighthead over Régis Montagne.
After the impact they had against England XV, it seems the front-row unit of Barnabé Massa, Reda Wardi and the aforementioned Montagne are the front-runners to come off the bench, while Hugo Auradou, Killian Tixeront and Esteban Capilla could round off the replacements unit.
Predicted France team v All Blacks in full
Starting XV: 15 Theo Attissogbe, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Nicolas Depoortere, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Max Spring, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Marko Gazzotti, 7 Oscar Jegou, 6 Temo Matiu, 5 Mickaël Guillard, 4 Tom Staniforth, 3 Sipili Falatea, 2 Maxime Lamothe, 1 Jefferson Poirot
Replacements: 16 Barnabé Massa, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Régis Montagne, 19 Hugo Auradou, 20 Killian Tixeront, 21 Esteban Capilla, 22 Nolann le Garrec, 23 Fabien Brau-Boirie
