‘No controversy’ around France’s exclusion of Gregory Alldritt for Argentina rugby Test
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France's No. 8 Gregory Alldritt (centre) being tackled by New Zealand's lock and captain Scott Barrett during the Autumn Nations Series match on Nov 16.
PHOTO: AFP
PARIS – France rugby coach Fabien Galthie said on Nov 20 there is “no controversy” regarding Gregory Alldritt’s absence from the team to face Argentina on Nov 22.
No. 8 Alldritt, who captained the side during the Six Nations, is replaced in the starting line-up for the game in Paris by Charles Ollivon.
“Team changes don’t fall from the sky,” Galthie said. “He’s a captain, leader, an exemplary player that all the players want to follow and he will remain like that.
“There’s competition, there’s a change in team selection. There’s no controversy around that.”
Alldritt’s omission is one of four changes from the thrilling one-point win over New Zealand on Nov 16. Flanker Francois Cros, prop Uini Atonio and fullback Leo Barre are the new faces replacing Alexandre Roumat, Tevita Tatafu and Romain Buros.
Buros scored a try on his Test debut against the All Blacks before suffering an injury on Nov 19.
“He hasn’t recovered fully from a dead leg,” Galthie said. “Last night, after training, he told us he wasn’t sure to be 100 per cent.
“We had to make a decision. Leo Barre is ready.”
Giant front-rower Atonio returns to the side having missed the first two games of the November internationals with a calf issue.
The 140kg forward takes the place of Tatafu, who sustained a knee injury against New Zealand.
Cros is back after suffering a concussion in the campaign-opening win over Japan, with fellow Toulouse back-rower Roumat moving to the replacements’ bench.
Among the substitutes, Bordeaux Begles back-rower Marko Gazzotti could win his first cap as Galthie keeps six forwards on his bench.
Gazzotti’s club teammate Matthieu Jalibert is again out of the squad, having been the starting fly-half at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Jalibert was also omitted from the 23 to play New Zealand, with Thomas Ramos selected at fly-half.
“There’s no controversy around Jalibert,” Galthie said.
“He needed to rest and recover. We discussed it.”
Meanwhile, Argentina have made one change to their starting line-up, bringing in Gonzalo Garcia at scrum-half to replace Gonzalo Bertranou, coach Felipe Contepomi announced on Nov 20.
Argentina are playing the last of their three-match November international schedule. They suffered a narrow 22-19 loss to Ireland in Dublin on Nov 15 and Contepomi does not see much need for change.
Argentina thrashed Italy and Galthie said Los Pumas are having a great season.
“They’re not afraid, they’re made up of great players who travel to Italy, France and England,” he said. “They are constantly adapting to the world rugby eco-system.
“It’s very intelligent rugby... It’s a very difficult team to play against, one of the best nations in the world.” AFP, REUTERS
