Les Bleus coach rings the changes

– France head coach Fabien Galthie yesterday announced eight changes to his team for this weekend’s Six Nations trip to Wales in round four of the competition.

The alterations are the most Galthie has made from one Six Nations game to another since taking over in late 2019.

Galthie hands three players their debuts for tomorrow’s game after the 13-13 draw with Italy in their last game on 25 February.

Full-back Leo Barre, centre Nicholas Depoortere and lock Emmanuel Meafou (right) will make their Test bows in Cardiff with winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec, No 8 Gregory Alldritt, second row Thibaud Flament and hooker Julien Marchand the other changes.

Galthie was forced into three changes with centre Jonathan Danty suspended and flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert injured and Posolo Tuilagi sidelined with a fitness issue.

“The facts mean that spaces have been freed up with the red cards, injuries and performances,” Galthie told reporters.

“I’ve always said that players have to grab the shirt, which has happened this week and what has happened for almost five years,” the former France captain added.

Usual full-back Thomas Ramos moves to the No 10 shirt, freeing up space for Barre with 21-yearold Depoortere standing in for Danty.

Former France under-20s captain Depoortere has been in superb form for Bordeaux-Begles this season, scoring seven tries in 18 appearances.

Depoortere has been training with Galthie’s side since last season’s Six Nations, when he was still a member of the youth set-up.

“He would come and challenge us, work with us during all the team training sessions,” Galthie said.

“We know him, he knows us. It’s a first cap that’s been prepared for more than a year.”

Bielle-Biarrey comes in for Matthis Lebel, Le Garrec starts instead of Maxime Lucu. –