Lille, France – A significant setback for Les Bleus as fly-half Matthieu Jalibert has been ruled out of Sunday’s Six Nations clash against Italy, the French Rugby Federation (FFR) announced Saturday evening. Jalibert, who has been in impressive form for France in the opening rounds of the tournament, sustained a calf injury, forcing a reshuffle in the French backline.
Ramos Steps In, Dréan Earns First Cap
The absence of Jalibert, a key playmaker in France’s victories over Ireland and Wales, necessitates a change in strategy for head coach Fabien Galthié. Thomas Ramos will now take the starting role at fly-half, partnering with captain Antoine Dupont in the half-back pairing. Ramos is no stranger to the position, having previously started at fly-half for France, including last year’s win over Italy in Rome.
However, the most notable change sees Toulon winger Gaël Dréan poised to make his international debut. Originally slated to feature on the wing, Dréan will now start in the number 11 jersey. This is a reward for his consistent performances in the Top 14, where he has scored 12 tries in 15 appearances for Toulon this season.
To accommodate Dréan’s inclusion, Théo Attissogbe will be shifted from the wing to full-back, a positional change that adds further complexity to the French back three. The reshuffle underscores the depth within the French squad, but also highlights the disruption caused by Jalibert’s late withdrawal.
France Seek to Maintain Momentum, Italy Look to Upset
France enters the match seeking to continue their pursuit of a Grand Slam, but will be wary of a potential upset against a resilient Italian side. Two years ago, in Lille, France narrowly avoided defeat against Italy, securing a 13-all draw only after a late penalty attempt from Paolo Garbisi sailed wide. That result serves as a stark reminder of Italy’s growing competitiveness within the Six Nations.
The French starting XV will feature Attissogbe at full-back, with Dréan, Gailleton, Brau-Boirie, and Bielle-Biarrey forming the back three. Ramos and Dupont will orchestrate the attack from the half-back positions, supported by Jegou and Jelonch in the second row, and Cros at number eight. The front row will consist of Aldegheri, Marchand, and Gros.
The replacements on the bench include Mauvaka, Neti, Colombe, Ollivon, Guillard, Nouchi, Serin, and Barassi, providing Galthié with options to adjust the game plan as needed.
Jalibert’s Injury a Blow to French Depth
Jalibert’s injury is particularly concerning given the ongoing absence of Romain Ntamack, another key playmaker for France. With both first-choice fly-halves unavailable, the pressure falls squarely on Ramos to deliver a commanding performance against Italy. His experience at the international level will be crucial in guiding the team and maintaining control of the match.
The late nature of Jalibert’s withdrawal also prevented Galthié from calling up a direct replacement to the squad. This decision to not add a number 10 to the bench or stands has raised eyebrows, suggesting a degree of confidence in Ramos’s ability to manage the game, and in the versatility of the existing squad members.
Dréan’s debut is a significant opportunity for the Toulon winger to showcase his talent on the international stage. His try-scoring prowess in the Top 14 suggests he has the potential to make a significant impact, but adapting to the pace and intensity of Test rugby will be a key challenge.
Attissogbe’s move to full-back is also a notable change, requiring him to adjust to the demands of a different position. His athleticism and versatility will be valuable assets, but he will need to quickly adapt to the defensive and attacking responsibilities of the role.
Sunday’s match in Lille promises to be a compelling encounter, with France aiming to maintain their Grand Slam bid and Italy looking to build on their recent improvements. The absence of Jalibert undoubtedly complicates matters for the hosts, but the depth and resilience of the French squad will be tested as they seek to overcome this late setback.
