There remain plenty of if, buts, maybes and caveats, with injuries depriving Galthie of a number of players who would otherwise expect to be in the reckoning for the first squad of the autumn, including Posolo Tuilagi and Romain Ntamack.
But three names on the release list stood out: Charles Ollivon, Jonathan Danty, and Maxime Lucu.
Toulon's Ollivon was the most surprising name on the list. He was Galthie's first captain back in 2020 and only very rarely has had a sub-par game in national colours.
Maybe age he is 31 - has counted against him for these autumn Tests. But, he has long appeared untouchable as far as France are concerned.
Clearly, that's no longer the case.
In releasing Ollivon and keeping Toulouse's less-demonstrative but no less effective Alexandre Roumat -a 27-year-old stripling - Galthie has lost nothing and gained the prospect of developing a player more likely to make the plane to Australia in 2027.
Lucu, it's clear, has slipped down the scrum-half rankings below Nolann Le Garrec. But the Racing 92 scrum-half went for tests on Saturday after picking up a knee injury in training. Conditioning coach Nicolas Jeanjean insisted in an interview with Midi Olympique that it's, 'not serious' - but word is that Le Garrec could be out for 10 days, meaning he will miss the match against Japan and may be a doubt for the Test against New Zealand a week later.
Lucu would then move up the rankings again into the Antoine Dupont understudy role, with either Baptiste Serin or Baptiste Couilloud expected to be called up as cover.
Denne historien er fra November 03, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 03, 2024-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
