In a bold move, France's head coach Fabien Galthie has shaken up the team for their upcoming clash with Wales, introducing two debutants and making five changes overall. This decision comes after their impressive 36-14 victory over Ireland in the first round.
But here's the twist: Galthie's focus is on the midfield, with centre duo Émilien Gailleton and Fabien Brau-Boirie stepping in for the injured Yoram Moefana and Nicolas Depoortère. This tactical shift ensures a stable backline, with Thomas Ramos at full-back and the dynamic duo of Théo Attissogbe and Louis Bielle-Biarrey in the back-three. The halves remain untouched, with Matthieu Jalibert and Antoine Dupont continuing their stellar partnership.
The front row remains unchanged, featuring Dorian Aldegheri, Julien Marchand, and Jean-Baptiste Gros. However, the bench sees some significant adjustments, with Maxime Lamothe, Thibaud Flament, and Noah Nene joining the squad. This means Brau-Boirie is set to earn his first senior cap for France, and Nene could also make his Test debut.
A controversial choice? Galthie's decision to maintain the same pack as the previous game might spark debate among rugby enthusiasts. With Scotland's recent struggles, some argue that England's script is already written. But will France's strategic changes be enough to secure victory against Wales?
The full team lineup for the highly anticipated match on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at Cardiff's Principality Stadium is as follows:
France Starting XV:
1. Jean-Baptiste Gros
2. Julien Marchand
3. Dorian Aldegheri
4. Charles Ollivon
5. Mickaël Guillard
6. François Cros
7. Oscar Jegou
8. Anthony Jelonch
9. Antoine Dupont (c)
10. Matthieu Jalibert
11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey
12. Fabien Brau-Boirie
13. Émilien Gailleton
14. Théo Attissogbe
15. Thomas Ramos
Replacements:
16. Maxime Lamothe
17. Rodrigue Neti
18. Regis Montagne
19. Thibaud Flament
20. Emmanuel Meafou
21. Lenni Nouchi
22. Baptiste Serin
23. Noah Nene
Officials:
Referee: James Doleman (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Christophe Ridley (RFU), Sam Grove-White (SRU)
TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR)
FPRO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
What do you think of Galthie's lineup? Are the changes enough to secure a win against Wales? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below!
