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.

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.

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.

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.

THE Six Nations 2025 kick-starts this month as England, Ireland, France, Italy, Scotland and Wales battle it out for the ultimate prize. The anticipation continues to build ahead of the

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.

Ahead of the 2025 Six Nations, we take a look back at the greatest coaches in the tournament’s history, with Andy Farrell becoming the 13th coach to lift the trophy and the 10th to claim a Grand Slam.

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.

France face their trickier biennial Six Nations itinerary in oddly numbered years, with England in Twickenham and Ireland in the Aviva Stadium. Of their six titles since the expansion to the Six Nations, France have won only one championship in odd years.

France coach Fabien Galthie said Monday that two players who were investigated for rape in Argentina before the case was dismissed can now be selected for the upcoming Six Nations.

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.

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.