Maxime Lucu, luxury lining from Antoine Dupont to face Scotland

The tenure of Maxime Lucu against Scotland was hardly in doubt after the serious injury of Antoine Dupont against Ireland a week earlier. It is now official, since the announcement, Thursday, March 13, of the composition of the French team which faces the XV of Chardon on Saturday at the Stade de France (9 pm), at the end of the Six Nations Tournament.

Maxime Lucu had barely had time to warm up on the Aviva Stadium field in Dublin when he was called, at the 29th^e Minute of the match against the Irish, to replace the master to play in the XV of France – victim of a rupture of the crossed ligaments of the right knee, Antoine Dupont will be unavailable until the fall. The melee half of the Union Bordeaux-Bègles (UBB) had been at ease in this match at the top between the two best teams of the tournament, animating the offensive game of the Blues brilliantly and showing itself intractable in defense (10 successful tackles, no missed), an exercise that it likes.

His performance earned him the praise of his teammates. “I often play with Max at the UBB, I know that he is an exceptional player, I did not have too many doubts about his entry”had explained after the match the tricolor phenomenon Louis Bielle-Biarrey. An opinion shared by Fabien Galkié. “It is impossible to release those who have performed in Ireland today. And Max answered present “underlined the coach on Thursday, who had praised the “Huge match” From his player to Dublin, “In an extremely hostile context”.

Maxime Lucu did not always have the favors of the Lot technician. In 2024, at the end of the tournament he was held responsible for the tricolor counterperformance (second, after a defeat against Ireland and a draw against Italy), the Bordeaux had been banished from the French team. “I am happy for Max, because he had a difficult tournament last year, we did not give him a gift”admitted Fabien Galkié.

Gaël Fickou tenured in the center

The main interested party, who did not even appear on the match sheet at the start of the tournament, does not hold his return to selection, at 32, as revenge. “I know that the high level is an eternal beginning (…). I do not focus on what happened in previous years. I do not play to answer that, but for me and to show that I am at the level ”argued the melee half at the end of his match in Dublin.

Maxime Lucu will have to show it again on Saturday against the XV of Scotland of the Finn Russell. In the event of a victory, the Blues would win, after the Grand Chelem 2022, a new tournament of the Six Nations, the second title only of the Garthié era – in office since 2020. A list far from the talents of this golden generation of tricolor rugby.

“Scotland, we know it well. Whatever the issue, it’s a team that knows how to win the games among the biggest opponents ”is wary of Fabien Galkié, vigilant, “Because we are Latins”faced with any relaxation of his players.

The tenure of Maxime Lucu, partner on Saturday with the hinge at the Toulousain Romain Ntamack, brings a strong coloring bordo-Béglaise to the rear lines of the XV of France. Out of seven players, four evolve on the banks of the Garonne with, in addition to Lucu, Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey on the wings-the two tricolor arrows in search of trial records in the Blues-and Yoram Moefana in the center. What promote the speed and fluidity of tricolor attacks.

Alongside Bordeaux, Fabien Galkié chose to recall the veteran Gaël Fickou. Back in the blue jersey after an injury, the most capped active player (93 selections) replaces in the middle of the Pierre-Louis Barassi field, forfeit a head against an Irish player. At almost 31 years old, the Center for Racing 92 finds a job as a holder, which had been, since the start of this 2025 edition, which has been relegated behind the center of the UBB Nicolas Depoortère in the Hierarchy of Trois-Quarts Center.

Finally, last interrogation that weighed this week on the composition of the XV of France, Fabien Galkié was he going to renew, in the absence of Antoine Dupont, the “Squad baguette”-a bench of destructive replacements with seven forwards and a rear? The coach provided a clear answer Thursday, in the cozy salons of the collector’s hotel (8th arrondissement of Paris) where players of the French team until Sunday. “We compose the team especially compared to us and our performance”insisted the Lotois, highlighting “A team composition at 23 to perform on Saturday”.

Once again, Nolann Le Garrec will be the only player on the three -quarter line on the bench, accompanied by seven forwards. A risky but winning strategy in the last two games (in Italy and Ireland), which the Blues once again intend to experience. With this time a coronation.