Il Nuovo Postiglione - Galthie confirms Dupont as France captain for Six Nations

He also left the door open for a return of the three big names who were dropped from his 42-man squad.

Gael Fickou, Greg Alldritt, both of whom have captained France in the absence through injury of Dupont, were omitted from the squad along with France's record try-scorer Damian Penaud.

Galthie, however, said that all three "will come back".

"They've deserved it enormously and will surely deserve it in the future. I'm certain they'll come back with us," said Galthie who took over as coach after the 2019 World Cup.

"It's not impossible that 80 percent of the players who experienced the end of the first term (up to the 2023 World Cup) will be in Australia," he said casting forward to the 2027 edition.

"Others are evolving alongside them... and are convincing at club level."

Galthie has been particularly impressed by the form of Pau backs Theo Attissogbe and Fabien Brau-Boirie, Toulouse centre Kalvin Gourgues and Montpellier flanker Lenni Nouchi who is the oldest of the four at 22.

"These prospects need to play," said Galthie. "They need the chance to make mistakes."

He had no doubts about the captaincy, adding that he had been "blown away" by Dupont's form for Toulouse since returning to action at the end of November after eight months out injured.

The 29-year-old Olympic gold medallist in rugby sevens ruptured a cruciate knee ligament playing against Ireland in the last Six Nations in March.

"I'm telling you now: he will be our captain," said Galthie.

France begin their bid for a second successive title against Ireland in Paris on February 5.

S.Maiolo--INP