Fab: We’ve yet to hit our peak
V Today, 3pm
FRENCH boss Fabien Galthie threw down the gauntlet to his side’s Six Nations opponents, declaring there is more in the tank for the champs.
Last year’s Grand Slammers head to Italy today to begin their title defence, with French rugby in disarray off the pitch.
Disgraced former FFR president Bernard Laporte, who is at the centre of a corruption scandal, was invited into camp in the week and Claude Atcher, head of France 2023, was axed amid accusations of bullying.
But the French are flying and favourites to win their own World Cup later this year – and Galthie reckons they have not peaked yet.
The former scrum-half said: “We finished second twice in a row before winning it with a Grand Slam, but our journey is not finished. We are going to get better because our team has not yet reached maturity.”
Galthie has been hit by injuries, with centre Jonathan Danty, back row Cameron Woki and wing Gabin Villiere out for the entire tournament.
Lyon wing Ethan Dumortier gets a first cap, Gael Fickou and Yoram Moefana pair up in midfield and Thomas Ramos gets the nod over Melvyn Jaminet at full-back. Antoine Dupont captains the side from scrum-half.
Italy have four players from the Premiership starting, with London Irish duo, prop Danilo Fischetti and centre Luca Morisi, Gloucester scrum-half Stephen Varney and Harlequins fly-half Tommy Allan all included.
Fischetti is the only non-Benetton player in the starting pack led by flanker Michele Lamaro.
But all eyes will be on an Italian who plays for a French club in Toulouse, full-back Ange Capuozzo, who has been on fire recently in the Top 14.
He was named World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2022.