XV de France Poised for Six Nations Opener Amid Squad Competition and High Ambitions

As the XV de France prepares to defend their Six Nations title, the team faces a mix of ambition and uncertainty ahead of their opening match against Ireland at the Stade de France on February 5. Baptiste Serin, a key player, expressed confidence in the French squad's determination to reclaim the trophy. He highlighted the competitiveness of the tournament and the crucial nature of the opening game, saying a win against Ireland could set a positive tone for the campaign. Serin also mentioned the team’s focus extends to building cohesion for the upcoming World Cup in Australia, acknowledging the importance of seizing opportunities, especially with some key players missing from the roster.

One notable uncertainty concerns the right prop position, where Régis Montagne of Clermont and Dorian Aldegheri of Toulouse are competing to start. Both have trained extensively in preparation, with coach Laurent Sempéré emphasizing the need for mobility and complementarity among the front row. Sempéré praised Aldegheri's scrum skills while noting Montagne's significant progress. Meanwhile, François Cros, a third-row player who had a recent knee injury, has reduced his training load but remains fit, leaving his starting spot contested by Anthony Jelonch, Lenni Nouchi, and Oscar Jegou.

The broader squad reflects some changes from last year’s victorious lineup, with absences including Grégory Alldritt and Damian Penaud. Serin views these as opportunities for younger players to prove themselves within a competitive but united group, reaffirming that “the door is not closed to anyone.” The likely starting XV for the Ireland game features key names like Ramos, Dupont, and the yet-to-be-decided Montagne or Aldegheri on the front line.

With the tournament kicking off soon, the French team's blend of ambition and internal competition sets the stage for an exciting Six Nations campaign where maintaining high performance and team cohesion will be essential for success.