France Names Squad for Six Nations Opener Against Wales
France has announced its matchday squad for the highly anticipated clash against Wales, scheduled for January 31 at Stade de France. Among the players selected are Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, who are making their return following the dismissal of serious charges against them last month.
Both rugby players, who are only 21 years old, faced allegations of aggravated sexual assault stemming from an incident that took place after a match in Argentina last year. However, an Argentine court terminated the case due to a lack of sufficient evidence. Despite this positive development for the players, the individual who brought forth the allegations has indicated plans to appeal the decision. The French rugby federation confirmed that the judge’s ruling has allowed Auradou and Jegou to rejoin their national team duties.
France’s head coach, Fabien Galthié, is eyeing a second Six Nations title within the span of four years. Preparation for the tournament has been intense as the team aims to reclaim its status among Europe’s elite.
In other news, Matthieu Jalibert, a prominent flyhalf, has been omitted from the final 23-man squad after initially being considered for selection. This opens the door for Romain Ntamack to reestablish his partnership with the esteemed scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, who had to sit out last year’s tournament while he focused on rugby sevens ahead of the Paris Olympics. Dupont was instrumental during that Olympic campaign, leading France to capture the gold medal.
Ntamack is eager to return to the international stage after a lengthy 17-month recovery period due to a serious knee injury that sidelined him during the 2023 World Cup. Also noteworthy is the inclusion of Joshua Brennan, a lock who hails from Dublin. He has represented France at the junior level and stands a chance of making his test debut with this selection.
The squad for the Six Nations opener features a balanced mix of experience and youth, setting the stage for an exciting tournament ahead.
France Squad Overview
**Forwards:** Grégory Alldritt, Uini Atonio, Hugo Auradou, Cyril Baille, Paul Boudehent, Joshua Brennan, Georges-Henri Colombe, François Cros, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Mickaël Guillard, Oscar Jegou, Julien Marchand, Peato Mauvaka, Emmanuel Meafou.
**Backs:** Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Antoine Dupont, Émilien Gailleton, Nolann Le Garrec, Yoram Moefana, Romain Ntamack, Damian Penaud, Thomas Ramos.
As the Six Nations approaches, fans of French rugby are hopeful for a successful campaign and look forward to seeing how the team performs in what promises to be a thrilling start to the tournament.
