In certain positions, the cascade of injuries is a reminder of how lucky France are to be able to call on so much talent. At scrum-half, for example, Nolann Le Garrec, Maxime Lucu and Baptiste Jauneau are all injured. And yet there is still Antoine Dupont or Baptiste Serin. Nothing less.
It is much the same in the midfield. Fabien Galthié and his staff will have to do without Nicolas Depoortère, who has a calf problem and will be out for three weeks, RMC report. A blow for the UBB player, who was so prominent against Ireland.
Worse still, his midfield partner Yoram Moefana is still a doubt just days out from facing Wales. On Tuesday, the number 12 was held back in training. Will he make it? Nothing is less certain. All the more so as Kalvin Gourgues, who has an ankle problem, will not be available either.
Brau-Boirie ticks every box
To replace that quality, the France coaches could unleash the Pau pairing of young Fabien Brau-Boirie and Emilien Gailleton. Not such an unfamiliar combination, given that the two centres have been dazzling this season with Pau. They are, in fact, the symbols of the Béarn club’s very good season.
Brau-Boirie could therefore win his first France cap. Sometimes compared to Jauzion, the powerful centre (1.90m, 98kg) shows impressive maturity despite his young age (20). A big defender, intelligent, capable of breaking several tackles… The Narbonne native is destined for a fine future.
To support him, what better than his club team-mate Emilien Gailleton? It is worth remembering that the former Agen player is only 22. Already capped 10 times, the Pau man has solid experience at the highest level. Make no mistake, if the two are paired together on Sunday, they will have nothing to envy in their opposite numbers.
More precise pointers on the team should emerge quickly. We can’t wait already.
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