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France dealt a blow as after losing fullback ahead of Six Nations campaign
By Online Editors
France have been dealt an personnel blow as they continue their preparations for the upcoming Six Nations campaign.
Montpellier wing Vincent Rattez was called into Fabien Galthie's 37-man squad on Monday to cover for Toulouse utility back Thomas Ramos, who has been ruled unavailable for France's opening Six Nations clash against Italy in three weeks.
The French Rugby Federation has not yet specified the reason behind Ramos' unavailability, but it leaves Les Bleus without the 25-year-old, who has mainly been used as a fullback in his 14 tests to date, from their training camp in Nice.
Galthie, though, has a capable replacement in Rattez, who was a notable omission from the initial announcement of the enlarged training squad.
The eight-test wing becomes the fifth Montpellier player to join the squad, alongside prop Mohamed Haouas, lock Paul Willemse, midfielder Arthur Vincent and fullback Anthony Bouthier.
France will be aiming to build on their second-placed finishes in both the Six Nations and Autumn Nations Cup last year as they look to build some form leading into their home World Cup in two years' time.
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I guess the other option would be to start ALB, he's looked good in the 12 so far when he starts and sets up those outside him. But that would mean putting the vice captain on the bench, which is unlikely. Another option would be to drop Reiko to the bench and play Proctor, though he's gone home so that's not going to happen either.
Both of those players just offer more of the soft distribution skills good centres learn from playing their careers there. Unfortunately that's what's lacking with the current combo.
Go to commentsWhatever let's see if this load of waffle is still valid in 2 years time. ABs will rise we have a lot of new talent coming through. The NPC was the highest standard for years. The game is changing to suit the fast pace we like to play. We get to play the Springboks more, including the franchises, which will make us better! Overall I am optimistic. I will add having watched the England game multiple times we made most of the play. England are an awesome physical team, but you can expect the All Blacks to get better and better at executing the chances. It could easily have been 5 tries to one instead of 3 to 1.
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