France team: Drastic changes after Springboks defeat as Fabien Galthie backtracks on controversial snub
France head coach Fabien Galthie has made sweeping changes to his 23-man squad to face Fiji this weekend, in the wake of his side’s heavy defeat to the Springboks.
Les Bleus held a 14-13 lead at half-time in last weekend’s Test at the Stade de France, and were also given a numerical advantage following the permanent dismissal of Boks lock Lood de Jager, but the reigning world champions mounted a strong comeback to run away 32-17 victors in Paris.
The manner of the defeat has since seen the France head coach react, with six personnel changes in his starting XV and a further five on his replacements bench.
France make drastic changes for Fiji Test
The deadly back-three of Thomas Ramos, Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey all retain their spots in the starting XV this weekend, while Nicolas Depoortere comes in at outside centre. His introduction sees last weekend’s captain, Gael Fickou, drop out of the 23 altogether, with Pierre-Louis Barassi sliding over to inside centre. Romain Ntamack keeps his spot at fly-half, but is joined by Maxime Lucu this time out. There is no room for Nolann Le Garrec in the wider squad.
Gregory Alldritt, fresh from his headline-grabbing omission last weekend, captains the side from number eight, while Oscar Jegou also comes into the starting back-row in place of the benched Paul Boudehent. Anthony Jelonch keeps his place, as he wears six. Charles Ollivon also returns to the side this weekend, joining Emmanuel Meafou in the second-row.
Eddie Jones blasts ‘ridiculous refereeing decision’ as Lood de Jager was trying to do ‘everything right’
Regis Montagne and Julien Marchand are joined by Jean-Baptiste Gros in the front-row.
Galthie has also drafted in Maxime Lamothe, Rodrigue Neti, Thomas Laclayat, Baptiste Jauneau and Emilien Gailleton onto the replacements bench, while Romain Taofifenua and Hugo Auradou round off the squad.
France team v Fiji in full
Starting XV: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Nicolas Depoortere, 12 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Gregory Alldritt (c), 7 Oscar Jegou, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Charles Ollivon, 3 Regis Montagne, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros
Replacements: 16 Maxime Lamothe, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Thomas Laclayat, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Hugo Auradou, 21 Paul Boudehent, 22 Baptiste Jauneau, 23 Emilien Gailleton
Date: Saturday, November 15
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Kick-off: 21:10 (local), 20:10 (UK)
Referee: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU) and Morne Ferreira (SARU)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
FPRO: Stuart Terheege (RFU)
READ MORE: Opinion: Forward brawn and Rassie’s brain too much to handle as ‘unbreakable’ Boks conquer France again
