France head coach Fabien Galthie has made 10 changes to his starting line-up as Les Bleus go full-throttle for their final Rugby World Cup warm-up match against Australia on Sunday.
Antoine Dupont returns to captain the side and is joined in the half-backs by Matthieu Jalibert.
Just five players that started the 34-17 victory over Fiji last week in Nantes remain as Galthie has selected a matchday 23 similar to what we can expect for the World Cup opener against New Zealand on September 8.
France near full strength against Australia
Thomas Ramos returns at full-back for Les Blues, taking over from Melvyn Jaminet who drops to the bench.
Ramos is joined by Gabin Villiere and Damian Penaud in the back three, with the pair replacing left wing Yoram Moefana and right wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey in the starting line-up, respectively.
Jonathan Danty is the only backline player who retains his starting role from the win over Fiji, with regular centre partner Gael Fickou returning in the number 13 jumper.
Last week, Antoine Hastoy got the opportunity to stake his claim for the vacant number 10 jersey after Romain Ntamack’s World Cup-ending injury against Scotland, and this week, it is the turn of Jalibert who starts alongside Dupont.
Into the pack, and Gregory Alldritt is at number eight again despite his injury scare in Nantes. Francois Cros starts again in the number six jumper, with Charles Ollivon replacing Dylan Cretin in the only change to the loose trio.
Thibaud Flament replaces Florian Verhaeghe in the second-row, where he partners Paul Willemse with a further two changes up front. Julien Marchand comes in for Peato Mauvaka, who drops to the bench, with Jean-Baptiste Gros returning at loosehead and Uini Atonio retained at tighthead.
Replacement loosehead prop Sebastien Taofifenua is the only player in the matchday 23 that has not been included in France’s 33-man Rugby World Cup squad as he covers for the injured Cyril Baille.
Mauvaka and Taofifenua will look to make an impact off the bench along with Dorian Aldegheri, Romain Taofifenua, Cameron Woki, Paul Boudehent, Baptiste Couilloud and Melvyn Jaminet.
France’s team to face Australia
France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Gabin Villiere, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (c), 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Paul Willemse, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros
Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Sebastien Taofifenua, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Cameron Woki, 21 Paul Boudehent, 22 Baptiste Couilloud, 23 Melvyn Jaminet
Date: Sunday, 27 August, 2023
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Kick off: 16:45 BST (15:45 GMT)
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Christophe Ridley (RFU), Craig Evans (WRU)
TMO: Tom Foley (RFU)
READ MORE: ‘Antoine Dupont is France’s Dan Carter’ – All Blacks legend
The article France name near full-strength side to tackle Wallabies in final World Cup warm-up appeared first on Planetrugby.com.
Article courtesy of
Source link
