Fabien Galthié's Brutal Six Nations Squad Shake-Up for Title Defence

Fabien Galthié has named his 42-man France squad for the upcoming 2026 Six Nations. The head coach has made sweeping changes ahead of the side’s title defence with several high-profile axings. Galthie swings the axe Gregory Alldritt and Gael Fickou, who both captained France in the absence of Antoine Dupont, the former leading the side to Six Nations glory, have both been dropped from the squad. Romain Ntamack has also missed out on selection due to injury, while France’s record try scorer, Damian Penaud, has not avoided the axe. Penaud broke the legendary Serge Blanco’s record when he crossed for his 40th try last November, but has not been recalled, seemingly for his defensive frailties. Instead, Galthie has turned to English-born and raised winger Aaron Grandidier Nkanang, who is one of eight uncapped players in the squad. New All Blacks coach gets soft landing as France puts club over country in hammer blow to World Rugby’s Nations Championship Australian second rower Tom Staniforth has also been called up, having qualified for France last year. The remaining uncapped players are Temo Matiu, Gregoire Arfeuil, Fabien Brau-Boirie, Gaël Dréan, Noah Nene, and Ugo Seunes. Dupont returns to the Les Bleus set-up and is primed to captain the side, having last featured for the side at last year’s Six Nations. Ntamack’s injury has also necessitated the return of Matthieu Jalibert, who has been in sterling form for Bordeaux. The playmaker has had his personal clashes with Galthie in recent times, but is seen by many as the frontrunner for the number 10 jersey for the opening game against Ireland. Toulouse loosehead prop Cyril Baille is also recalled, as is Bordeaux’s Cameron Woki and Toulon’s Baptiste Serin. Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust. France Six Nations’ squad Forwards: Dorian Aldegheri, Uini Atonio, Hugo Auradou, Cyril Baille, Paul Boudehent, François Cros, Alexandre Fischer, Thibaud Flament, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Mickaël Guillard, Oscar Jegou, Anthony Jelonch, Maxime Lamothe, Julien Marchand, Temo Matiu, Peato Mauvaka, Emmanuel Meafou, Regis Montagne, Rodrigue Neti, Lenni Nouchi, Charles Ollivon, Dany Priso, Thomas Staniforth, Tevita Tatafu, Cameron Woki Backs: Gregoire Arfeuil, Theo Attissogbe, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Fabien Brau-Boirie, Romain Buros, Thibault Daubagna, Nicolas Depoortere, Gaël Dréan, Antoine Dupont, Kalvin Gourgues, Aaron Grandidier Nkanang, Matthieu Jalibert, Yoram Moefana, Noah Nene, Thomas Ramos, Baptiste Serin, Ugo Seunes World Rugby to make ‘first credible attempt’ for a global calendar after Rassie Erasmus’ pleas 2026 Fixtures France v Ireland Date: Thursday, 5 February, 2026 Kick-off: 21:10 local time (20:10 GMT) Venue: Stade de France, Paris Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU) Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (RA), Jordan Way (RA) TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU) FPRO: Richard Kelly (NZR) Wales v France Date: Sunday, 15 February, 2026 Kick-off: 15:10 GMT Venue: Principality Stadium, Cardiff Referee: James Doleman (NZR) Assistant Referees: Christophe Ridley (RFU), Sam Grove-White (SRU) TMO: Richard Kelly (NZR) FPRO: Mike Adamson (SRU) France v Italy Date: Sunday, 22 February, 2026 Venue: Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille Kick-off: 16:10 local time (15:10 GMT) Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU) Assistant Referees: Luke Pearce (RFU), Eoghan Cross (IRFU) TMO: Olly Hodges (IRFU) FPRO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU) Scotland v France Date: Saturday, 7 March, 2026 Kick-off: 14:10 GMT Venue: Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh Referee: Angus Gardner (RA) Assistant Referees: Andrew Brace (IRFU), Craig Evans (WRU) TMO: Brett Cronan (RA) FPRO: Olly Hodges (IRFU) France v England Date: Saturday, 14 March, 2026 Kick-off: 21:10 local time (20:10 GMT) Venue: Stade de France, Paris Referee: Nic Berry (RA) Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Hollie Davidson (SRU) TMO: Brett Cronan (RA) FPRO: Matteo Liperini (FIR)