Star scrumhalf Antoine Dupont will make his return for France against Ireland in Thursday’s Six Nations opener in Paris.
Dupont has not played for Les Bleus since tearing his cruciate knee ligament against Ireland in March during last year’s Six Nations tournament.
That was a pivotal moment as France bounced back from their shock 38-17 defeat at home to the Irish in 2024 to record a thumping 42-27 success in Dublin that propelled them to the Six Nations crown.
The 29-year-old made his competitive return after eight months out for club Toulouse in November.
He will partner Bordeaux Begles flyhalf Mathieu Jalibert for only the second time since the 2023 World Cup.
“I expect them to use their abilities to combine the strengths around them … to conduct our attacking and defensive play,” France coach Fabian Galthie told reporters after naming what was France’s World Cup halfback pairing in the absence of Dupont’s Toulouse teammate Romain Ntamack, who is injured again.
“I expect them to do what they have been doing with us in training – that they bring their energy, their talent, their joy at being amongst us – nothing more.”
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Galthie gave Anthony Jelonch the nod at No 8 with Gregory Alldritt dropped from the squad, while Theo Attissogbe comes in at right wing with France’s record try-scorer Damian Penaud axed over defensive concerns.
Dorian Aldegheri will start at tighthead prop with Uini Atonio forced to retire after suffering a heart attack last week, as Regis Montagne starts on the bench.
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The loss of 35-year-old Atonio from the squad has been keenly felt.
“Uini is someone who showed the right path through his actions – and always with a smile,” said Galthie about the New Zealand-born colossus.
Mickael Guillard and Charles Ollivon start in the second row with Oscar Jegou and Francois Cros picked either side of Jelonch.
Like Ireland’s head coach Andy Farrell, Galthie has opted for six forwards and just two backs on the bench.
Peato Mauvaka is preferred as the replacement hooker to Maxime Lamothe, while talented Toulouse centre Kalvin Gourgues will provide backline cover alongside scrumhalf Baptiste Serin.
France are aiming for back-to-back Six Nations titles for the first time in almost 20 years, and a first Grand Slam since 2022.
“Not everything will be perfect in this opening match, but what I feel and what I expect is that flame that has often carried us, and which has allowed us to win matches and to show character and energy,” said Galthie.
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One thing he does not want to see is the defensive and discipline issues that blighted France’s Autumn Nations Series campaign, in which they suffered a humbling 32-17 defeat to the Springboks despite their opponents playing the second half with 14 men.
“That was a focus for all the staff in training, not just in terms of performance but also mental preparation,” said Galthie. “We will see on Thursday if that has given us a strong base to keep the Irish out of our 22.”
FRANCE – 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Theo Attissogbe, 13 Nicolas Depoortere, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (c), 8 Anthony Jelonch, 7 Oscar Jegou, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Mickael Guillard, 4 Charles Ollivon, 3 Dorian Aldegheri, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros.
Bench: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Regis Montagne, 19 Hugo Auradou, 20 Emmanuel Meafou, 21 Lenni Nouchi, 22 Baptiste Serin, 23 Kalvin Gourgues.
– AFP
Photo: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
