FRENCH COLUMN
Unlike his Six Nations’ counterparts who, on the whole, opted for continuity selections after the World Cup, new France coach Fabien Galthie dared. He dared make a near-complete break with the past, jettisoning any player in their 30s – except for flanker-cum-lock Bernard Le Roux – from his first official selection as France coach.
Thirty-something World Cup squad members Yoann Huget, Maxime Medard, Rabah Slimani, Wenceslas Lauret, Maxime Machenaud, Sofiane Guitoune and Camille Lopez were deemed surplus to requirements at the very start of the new World Cup...