XV de France Faces Injury Woes as New Talent Joins Squad Ahead of South Africa Clash
Injuries impact XV de France squad as Guillaume Cramont and other new players join for key match against South Africa.
- • Key players including captain Antoine Dupont are out due to injuries ahead of the South Africa match.
- • Guillaume Cramont, with a rapid rise from U18 Swiss rugby, has been called up to the national team.
- • Grégory Aldritt likely replaced by Mickaël Guillard in the back row lineup.
- • Front row expected to feature Baptiste Erdorico; backline may include Nolann Le Garrec partnering with Romain Ntamack.
Key details
As the XV de France rugby team prepares for their crucial upcoming match against the South African Springboks, significant changes and challenges are shaping the squad's composition. With less than ten days before the high-stakes encounter, many key players from the previous World Cup quarter-final lineup are sidelined due to injuries. Captain Antoine Dupont remains out with a torn cruciate ligament sustained in winter, while other notable absentees include Mathieu Jalibert, Jonathan Danty, Charles Ollivon, Camero Woki, Cyril Baille, Peato Mauvaka, and Uini Atonio, which significantly alters the team's dynamic (ID 123163).
These absences have opened the door for fresh faces and potential surprises in the selection. One particularly notable call-up is Guillaume Cramont, a 24-year-old hooker who has quickly risen through the ranks from playing with the U18 Swiss team to excelling in the Top 14, where he recently scored a hat-trick within just over 20 minutes against Castres. Cramont expressed his determination to embrace the challenge against the reigning world champions and credited his club teammates for helping him integrate into the national squad (ID 123149).
On the field, Grégory Aldritt, the last Six Nations captain, is likely to be replaced by Mickaël Guillard in the back row, accompanied by Paul Boudehent and Anthony Jelonch. The front row is expected to feature Baptiste Erdorico alongside Julien Marchand and Régis Montagne, while the second row may be entirely composed of Toulouse club players Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou. In the backline, Nolann Le Garrec is anticipated to partner with Romain Ntamack, stepping in due to Maxime Lucu's uncertain fitness. Gaël Fickou and Pierre-Louis Barassi are expected to hold the center positions, with Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Damien Penaud, and Thomas Ramos covering the wings and fullback slot (ID 123163).
This match carries extra emotional weight as a chance for France to avenge their painful World Cup quarter-finals defeat by South Africa two years ago. Despite the setbacks from injuries, the team's mix of experienced and emerging talents aims to rise to the occasion and deliver a strong performance. Guillaume Cramont summarized this spirit, acknowledging the difficulty of the path but his focus on giving his best against the world champions (ID 123149).
The squad finalization and team strategy will likely become clearer as the match approaches, but the current lineup adjustments reflect both a strategic challenge and an opportunity to showcase new talent on the international stage.