France’s top try-scorer Damian Penaud has been surprisingly left out of the defending champions’ Six Nations squad ahead of their opening match against Ireland on 5 February.
The 29-year-old wing has scored 40 tries in 59 games for France and started all three autumn internationals in November. But his form has dipped this season, with only 8 tries in 16 games for club and country, compared to 27 in 26 matches last year. His defence has also been questioned, including a recent mistake in Bordeaux-Begles’ Champions Cup win.
Penaud is among several big names dropped by coach Fabien Galthie. Back row Gregory Alldritt and veteran centre Gael Fickou were also left out. All three could still be called up later in the tournament, but Galthie’s choices seem aimed at sending a message before facing Ireland, who won the 2023 and 2024 titles.
With Fickou out, Galthie has brought in young centres, including 20-year-old Kalvin Gourgues from Toulouse, who won his first cap against Australia in November. Eleven of the 17 backs selected have 10 caps or fewer, including London-born wing Aaron Grandider-Nkanang, who won Olympic Sevens gold with Antoine Dupont in Paris 2024.
France’s fly-half options are also affected, with Romain Ntamack out with a back injury. Bordeaux-Begles’ Mathieu Jalibert looks set to start. Scrum-half Dupont may return from knee ligament damage, while Maxime Lucu and Nolann Le Garrec are injured. Baptiste Serin, Cameron Woki, and Charles Ollivon are back in the squad.
