France stalwart Alldritt left out of test against Argentina
France stalwart Alldritt left out of test against Argentina
PARIS (AP) — France stalwart Gregory Alldritt will miss France’s final match in the autumn nations series.
The French number eight was not included Wednesday in coach Fabien Galthie’s squad for Friday’s match against Argentina at the Stade de France.
Galthie made four changes as France looks to finish a successful campaign in style against the Pumas following convincing wins against Japan and New Zealand.
Aldritt, who has made 51 appearances for France, started against both Japan and New Zealand but was replaced after 48 minutes against the All Blacks. Charles Ollivon will start in place of Alldritt.
“These are not decisions that fall like that, like a guillotine, we discuss with all the players, we tell them about the trends, the current form, our desire also to create emulation in our France group, regeneration, recovery for others,” Galthie said. “Gregory Alldritt participated in the two victories against Japan and New Zealand, he is a captain, he is a leader, he is an exemplary player that all the players want to follow. And he will remain so.”
Galthié also left out of his team Romain Buros, who was expected to start at fullback, giving instead a nod to Leo Barre.
Galthie said that Buros did not fully recover from a knock on a thigh and let the coaching staff know he was not fully fit for the match after training with his teammates on Tuesday.
“As we couldn’t wait until Thursday, we had to make a decision, and it was Romain who made it. And Leo Barre is ready,” said Galthie, who kept faith in his halfback pairing of Antoine Dupont and Thomas Ramos.
Prop Uini Atonio, who missed the first two tests, will start as a replacement for the injured Tevita Tatafu.
Number eight Marko Gazzotti was included among the reserves and is likely to win his first cap, and Georges-Henri Colombe returned to the bench.
France lost 33-25 to Argentina the last time they played in July.
Argentina coach Felipe Contepomi made just one change to his starting lineup after the tight 22-19 loss to Ireland, with Gonzalo García starting at scrumhalf.
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France: Leo Barre, Gabin Villiere, Gael Fickou, Yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Thomas Ramos, Antoine Dupont, Charles Ollivon, Paul Boudehent, Francois Cros, Emmanuel Meafou, Thibaud Flament, Uini Atonio, Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros. Reserves: Julien Marchand, Reda Wardi, Georges-Henri Colombe, Alexandre Roumat, Mickael Guillard, Marko Gazzotti, Nolann Le Garrec, Emilien Gailleton.
Argentina: Juan Cruz Mallia, Rodrigo Isgro, Lucio Cinti, Matias Moroni, Bautista Delguy, Tomas Albornoz, Gonzalo Garcia, Joaquin Oviedo, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Pablo Matera, Pedro Rubiolo, Guido Petti, Joel Sclavi, Julian Montoya, Thomas Gallo. Reserves: Ignacio Ruiz, Ignacio Calles, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Franco Molina, Marcos Kremer, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Santiago Carreras, Mateo Carreras.
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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby