France have named uncapped 20-year-old centre Noah Nene, who performs for second-tier Dax, of their 42-player Six Nations squad.
Nene was a fringe member of France’s under-20s final season however has impressed on mortgage from dad or mum membership Stade Francais, establishing himself as first alternative in Dax’s midfield.
Elsewhere, fly-half Romain Ntamack returns to the France fold for the primary time in additional than a 12 months. The 25-year-old suffered a severe knee harm simply earlier than the 2023 Rugby World Cup and missed the autumn internationals with a calf drawback.
Captain Antoine Dupont, who missed final 12 months’s Six Nations to organize for France’s profitable bid for sevens gold at Paris 2024, is known as alongside Matthieu Jalibert, who began instead of Ntamack on the World Cup however selected to not be picked as a alternative within the autumn.
Forwards Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou, in opposition to whom a cost of rape was dismissed final month in Argentina, are additionally included.
Coach Fabien Galthie defined his pondering behind the provision of Auradou and Jegou, who have been accused of rape throughout France’s summer season tour of Argentina. The ladies’s lawyer has appealed in opposition to the dismissal of the case.
“The case was dropped, which is obvious and apparent. From the second the case was dropped, we take into account them harmless,” Galthie informed radio station RMC earlier than the announcement of his squad.
“After a coherent process, they are often chosen.”
Greater than 5 years since his final worldwide look, Leinster prop Rabah Slimani returns. The 35-year-old, who moved to Dublin from Clermont initially of this season, gained the newest of his 57 caps in quarter-final defeat by Wales at Japan 2019.
Skilled pair Charles Ollivon and Gael Fickou are injured however there’s area for Joshua Brennan, the son of former Leinster, Toulouse and Eire ahead Trevor Brennan.
France, who’ve completed second within the final two Six Nations after successful a Grand Slam in 2022, play Wales at dwelling of their opening match on Friday, 31 January.