Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou have both been included in France's matchday squad to face Wales in the first game of the Six Nations tournament next week.

It's true Wales lack the depth of other nations in the front-row, but Assiratti is well-respected as a scrummager within the game. The 27-year-old is a strong technical scrummager who has a good shape at scrum time, while he will undoubtedly benefit from working closely with Adam Jones.

France head coach Fabien Galthie said on Tuesday he and his coaches take "complete responsibility" for including two players in his Six Nations squad who were investigated for rape in Argentina before the case was dismissed.

France head coach Fabien Galthie said on Tuesday the return of captain Antoine Dupont brings an "aura" to the team before they embark on this year's Six Nations. "It's quite a magical competition," former France captain Galthie said.

With Cardiff lock Teddy Williams the only second-row left in camp, with everyone else in his position plying his trade outside of Wales, Ospreys youngster James Fender was considered as an option to bring in - but he'll remain with the Ospreys for their Friday night clash with Benetton instead.

Ahead of the opening match of the 2025 Guinness Men's Six Nations, Fabien Galthié has revealed for the first time the secrets of his French squad selections.

Fabien Galthie has named an incredibly strong 42-man squad for the Six Nations, as France seek to break Ireland's vice-grip on the title.

French rugby union chiefs on Wednesday named the players accused of raping a 39-year-old woman in Argentina during the summer tour of South America in the 42-man squad for the 2025 Six Nations tournament.

Coach Warren Gatland is counting on some returning old heads to lead his young Wales squad in the Six Nations and create a siege mentality following a team record run of 12 defeats in a row that has plunged the country's rugby into crisis.

Wales squad members Taulupe Faletau, Josh Adams and James Botham all miss out, while there are also injuries to Tinus de Beer, Aled Davies, Corey Domachowski, Regan Grace, Mason Grady, Liam Belcher, Harri Millard, Iwan Stephens, Ben Donnell, Ed Byrne and Gwilym Bradley.

Captain Antoine Dupont says he is "happy to be back" as France seek to deny Ireland an unprecedented third successive Six Nations title.

In December, the case against the 21-year-olds was dropped after the two forwards had faced accusations in July. Read more at straitstimes.com.