It’s a twist of fate. In March 2020, expelled following receiving a red card for punching the Scottish third line Jamie Ritchie, Mohamed Haouas had involuntarily precipitated the defeat of the Blues once morest the selection at Chardon (28-17). Two years later, the right pillar of Montpellier Mohamed Haouas was called by coach Fabien Galthié to join the list of 42 players summoned to prepare Scotland-France, counting for the 3rd day of the Six Nations Tournament. A competition that the Blues dominate (2 successes in 2 games).
Haouas (27, 13 selections), sentenced on February 4 by the Montpellier Criminal Court to 18 months in prison suspended for his involvement in burglaries eight years ago, had not been included in the previous lists.
The colossus (1.85 m for 123 kg) had been established for the first time in the France team in February 2020 for the shock of the Six Nations Tournament once morest England. Since his conviction, he has played a match with the MHR, once morest Pau on February 5 (29-12).
Winger Gabin Villière, injured in the sinus, and the opener Matthieu Jalibert, in difficulty with a thigh, are as expected absent, as well as the second line of Racing 92 Bernard Le Roux, left in the 13th minute of the match once morest Pau last weekend. Other players are entering: Lyon center Pierre-Louis Barassi, Toulon second line Swan Rebbadj and his teammate at the back, Aymeric Luc.
The XV of France, the only undefeated team in the Tournament, will play its third match once morest Scotland on February 26 (3:15 p.m. French time) in Edinburgh. The 42 players summoned Thursday are expected Sunday by the management of the XV of France in Marcoussis (Essonne).