Trying to predict a France team selection is often like trying to predict the weather; Often you think have it sussed out, but then the day comes and it is not what you expected at all. What would a France team look like if they cared about cohesion? Or tried to build partnerships? Or played players in their best positions?
Front Row: Dany Priso, Guilhelm Guirado, Uini Atonio
Locking down the scrum we have one of the best scrummaging looseheads in Europe; La Rochelle’s Dany Priso. On the tighthead side is the largest man in rugby Uini Atonio, and the man in the middle is captain fantastic, and France’s most important player, Guilhelm Guirado
Second Row: Arthur Iturria, Paul Jedrasiak
An all Clermont pairing. Arthur Iturria was one of the stars of France’s defeat to Wales. The Clermont man made 24m from 5 carries, made 9 tackles and threw three offloads. Paul Jedrasiak will bring some much needed “dog” to the French pack.
Back Row: Sekou Macalou, Yacouba Camara, Louis Picamoles
Number 8 should be one of the first names on the team sheet: Louis Picamoles. The Montpellier 8 is one of France’s most consistent performers. On the flanks are speed demon Sekou Macalou, and all-action Montpellier flanker Yacouba Camara
Half-Backs: Antoine Dupont, Camille Lopez
If there is one thing that French rugby does well, it’s a lively scrum half. Baptiste Serin, Baptiste Couilloud, are both fantastic players, but Toulouse 9 Antoine Dupont is the best of the lot. France have struggled for consistency for their out-halves in recent years, but when he’s been fit, Clermont 10 Camille Lopez has performed quite well for France.
Midfield: Wesley Fofana, Gael Fickou
He may be made of glass, but there is few players centres classier than Wesley Fofana. He made his long awaited return to international rugby last weekend, and it was like he had never left. Romain Ntamack is likely the future of the French midfield, and the man to fill in if Fofana can’t stay fit. Fickou is France’s best 13, and one of the biggest losers in the persistent selection of Mathieu Bastareaud. Fickou probably has as much caps on the wing as he does in midfield
Back Three: Gabriel Lacroix, Thomas Ramos, Alivereti Raka
A left-field pick for one of the wing spots – La Rochelle wing Gabriel Lacroix. Lacroix was on the verge of the France XV in 2017, making one appearance before an ACL injury put a stop to his 2018. If he can get back in form, he should add to his single cap. Thomas Ramos has been a star for Toulouse at full-back this year, even making the odd appearance at 10. He will be hoping to get some action off the bench in Twickenham this weekend. Right wing goes to Clermont’s big Fijian Alivereti Raka. Raka has been ripping it up for Clermont but some poorly timed injuries mean that he is still waiting to make his debut for the national team. He has recently become a French citizen.
- Dany Priso
- Guilhelm Guirado
- Uini Atonio
- Arthur Iturria
- Paul Jedrasiak
- Sekou Macalou
- Yacouba Camara
- Louis Picamoles 16. Pierre Bourgarit
- Antoine Dupont 17. Jefferson Poirot
- Camille Lopez 18. Demba Bamba
- Gabriel Lacroix 19. Felix Lambey
- Wesley Fofana 20. Marco Tauleigne
- Gael Fickou 21. Baptiste Serin
- Alivereti Raka 22. Romain Ntamack
- Thomas Ramos 23. Damian Penaud
