France head coach Fabien Galthié has handed a senior international debut to rising star Fabien Brau-Boirie for Sunday’s Six Nations clash against Wales in Cardiff, as Les Bleus unveil a reshaped midfield for their second match of the championship.
The 20-year-old centre will start at inside centre in what is one of two enforced changes to the side that began their campaign with an emphatic 36-14 victory over Ireland in Paris. Injuries to Nicolas Depoortere and Yoram Moefana, who were paired together in midfield against the Irish, have forced Galthié into a rethink. Kalvin Gourgues, who featured off the bench in that opening-round win, is also unavailable.
As a result, Brau-Boirie’s impressive domestic performances for Pau have been rewarded with a call-up to the starting XV. The young back has been one of the standout performers in the Top 14 this season, crossing the try line nine times in 15 appearances. His combination of size, speed, and composure has caught the attention of the national selectors, and now he gets the opportunity to prove himself on one of rugby’s biggest stages.
Standing at 6ft 3in, Brau-Boirie brings physical presence as well as attacking flair. His ability to break the gain line and link effectively with teammates has been a major factor in Pau’s attacking threat this season. Against Wales, he will be tasked with stepping into a high-pressure encounter away from home, where France will be aiming to build momentum following their convincing round-one performance.
Joining him in midfield is his Pau team-mate Emilien Gailleton, who already has experience at this level and will provide a degree of familiarity and stability alongside the debutant. Gailleton scored against Wales in last year’s fixture and has shown a knack for rising to the occasion in big matches. Their club chemistry could prove valuable as France look to maintain attacking continuity despite the disruption caused by injuries.
Elsewhere in the squad, there is a welcome return for Toulouse lock Thibaud Flament. The second row missed France’s championship opener against Ireland due to a personal commitment, as it coincided with his wife’s fertility treatment. Now back in the fold, Flament has been named among the replacements and adds further depth to an already formidable forward pack.
Flament’s inclusion strengthens the bench, where he is joined by another notable name — Stade Français centre Noah Nene. Nene is uncapped at international level and could make his debut if called upon during the match. His presence among the replacements reflects Galthié’s willingness to invest in youth and broaden the squad’s options as the tournament progresses.
Despite the changes in midfield, France have opted to retain the remainder of the starting line-up that so impressively dismantled Ireland. The half-back pairing of captain Antoine Dupont and fly-half Matthieu Jalibert continues, marking the first time the duo have started together against Wales since 2021. Their dynamic interplay, tactical intelligence, and attacking creativity were central to France’s dominant performance in Paris, and they will once again orchestrate proceedings in Cardiff.
Dupont, widely regarded as one of the world’s premier scrum-halves, will captain the side and look to dictate tempo with his trademark sharp decision-making and leadership. Jalibert’s distribution and ability to unlock defences with precise kicking and incisive passing add another dimension to the French attack.
On the bench, France once again favour a 6-2 split in favour of forwards, underlining their intention to maintain physical dominance in the latter stages of the match. Hooker Maxime Lamothe joins Flament among the replacements, while Emmanuel Meafou, Alexandre Nouchi, and others provide powerful reinforcement options up front. The strategy reflects Galthié’s belief in controlling matches through forward intensity and sustained pressure.
France enter the contest in confident mood, having won their last seven meetings against Wales — a run stretching back to the 2019 Rugby World Cup. That dominance has included several commanding displays, and Les Bleus will be strong favourites to extend the streak. They are also targeting a fourth consecutive bonus-point victory over the Welsh, a testament to their recent superiority in this fixture.
Wales, meanwhile, are looking to bounce back from a bruising 48-7 defeat at the hands of England at Twickenham in the opening round. The scale of that loss has intensified scrutiny on the Welsh setup, and their team selection is due to be announced on Friday morning. Cardiff’s Principality Stadium remains a formidable venue, but the hosts will need a dramatic improvement to challenge a French side brimming with confidence and depth.
The French starting XV for Sunday’s encounter is as follows:
France Starting XV:
Ramos; Attissogbe, Gailleton, Brau-Boirie, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Dupont (captain); Gros, Marchand, Aldegheri, Ollivon, Guillard, Cros, Jegou, Jelonch.
Replacements:
Lamothe, Neti, Montagne, Flament, Meafou, Nouchi, Serin, Nene.
The inclusion of Brau-Boirie represents not only a response to injuries but also a glimpse into France’s future. At just 20 years old, he embodies the next generation of French rugby talent emerging from the Top 14. His partnership with Gailleton could lay the foundation for a long-term midfield combination if they impress on Sunday.
For Galthié, squad evolution and competition for places are central to maintaining France’s status as one of the world’s elite rugby nations. By blending experienced campaigners like Dupont and Ollivon with emerging talents such as Brau-Boirie and Nene, he continues to build depth and versatility.
Sunday’s clash in Cardiff will test that balance. Wales, wounded and playing at home, are unlikely to roll over easily. Yet France’s recent form, tactical cohesion, and attacking firepower suggest they remain strong contenders not only in this match but in the broader Six Nations campaign.
With a winning streak against Wales on the line and championship momentum at stake, Les Bleus will be determined to deliver another statement performance — and all eyes will be on the young centre making his first appearance in the famous blue jersey.
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