Damian Penaud and Matthieu Jalibert Benched for Italy Clash
France’s preparations for their Six Nations match against Italy have been marked by significant changes, with talismanic winger Damian Penaud and out-of-favor fly-half Matthieu Jalibert both dropped from the starting lineup.
Penaud’s Defensive Lapses Cost Him
Penaud, who recently returned from a long injury layoff, has been replaced by uncapped Pau winger Théo Attisogbe. According to reports from Midi Olympique, the Bordeaux-Bègles player has been criticized for his lack of defensive commitment against England, where he missed five tackles.
Despite being France’s third-highest try scorer of all time with 37 tries, just one behind Serge Blanco’s record of 38, Penaud’s omission from the starting 15 sends a clear message that current form will take precedence over past achievements under Fabien Galthié’s regime.
Jalibert Faces Continued Snub
Jalibert, who started at fly-half in the absence of Romain Ntamack at Twickenham, has also fallen foul of the coaching staff. Despite being named in the extended squad of 42, he has been dropped from the 23-man matchday squad.
The move to recall Paris fullback Léo Barré has convinced Galthié to shift Thomas Ramos to fly-half, a position he excelled in during the November tour. This decision further undermines Jalibert’s confidence and reinforces his status as the odd man out in the French setup.
Other Changes in the Team
Additional alterations to the team include the return of Thibaud Flament in the second row after recovering from a calf injury. The Lyon youngster Mickaël Guillard replaces Manny Meafou, who withdrew from the squad due to a lung infection.
In the back row, Anthony Jelonch is likely to return to the bench alongside Romain Taofifenua, who will move there from his starting role with Guillard’s promotion. Hugo Auradou has been omitted due to his underwhelming performance against England.
Bench Configuration Under Scrutiny
Galthié is weighing up the composition of his bench, with the possibility of a heavily forward-dominated seven-one split. The veteran scrum-half Maxime Lucu is expected to be included ahead of Nolann le Garrec, while Dorian Aldegheri could come in at loosehead prop.
If confirmed, this bench selection would reflect the coaching staff’s concerns about the strength of the Italian pack, suggesting a conservative approach for the Stadio Olimpico encounter.
Probable XV
- Barré
- Attissogbe
- Barassi
- Moefana
- Bielle-Biarrey
- Ramos
- Dupont (c)
- Alldritt
- Boudehent
- Cros
- Guillard
- Flament
- Atonio
- Mauvaka
- Gros
Possible Replacements
- Marchand
- Baille
- Aldegheri
- Roumat
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- Taofifenua
- Jegou
- Jelonch or Lucu
- Lucu or Gailleton
