Following a narrow defeat to England, France head coach Fabien Galthie has made significant changes to his squad for the upcoming Six Nations match against Italy.

Former French coach Philippe Saint-André expressed confusion over Penaud's exclusion, highlighting his significant offensive potential.

Ireland's Jack Conan noted the potential motivation for Italy playing at home, especially in light of recent changes and challenges.

Galthie emphasized the importance of competitive performance, stating that every player must earn their place on the team, regardless of past achievements.

This decision aims to foster competition within the squad, as Galthie believes that no player is indispensable.

Penaud has requested to play for his club in the Top 14 instead of joining the national team, reflecting the emotional impact of being dropped.

In the forwards, Mickael Guillard will start alongside Thibaud Flament, who is making his return from injury, while Emmanuel Meafou is sidelined due to a lung infection.

Ramos will partner with Toulouse teammate Antoine Dupont at half-back for the match scheduled on February 23, 2025.

Galthie's decision to field a 7-1 bench strategy has drawn criticism, reminiscent of the backlash faced by the Springboks for similar tactics.

The French bench will consist of seven forwards and only one back, a tactical choice aimed at dominating the ground game against Italy.

Antoine Dupont will captain the team from the scrum-half position, with the center pairing of Pierre-Louis Barassi and Yoram Moefana remaining unchanged despite Gael Fickou's return from injury.

Damian Penaud, who has been in excellent form with his club, was not selected for the match, raising questions about his immediate reinstatement.