Galthie brings in big ammo to face Japan
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Antoine Dupont is back for France as they gear up for their first Nations Series encounter against Japan at Stade de France on Saturday.
It is a much changed French side that gathered for their end-of-year fixtures as head coach Fabien Galthie is able to select a full-strength side.
The French is set to face Japan, New Zealand, and Argentina in the Nations Series.
The Japanese game marks the first return to the Stade de France for the French since last year’s World Cup quarterfinal elimination to South Africa.
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It is also the first meeting between these two nations since November 2022, when Les Bleus won 35-17 in Toulouse.
Dupont spent his summer helping France to men’s rugby sevens gold medal glory at the Olympics and now returns, as do wing Damian Penaud and fullback Thomas Ramos.
Up front lock, Thibaud Flament and No. 8 Gregory Alldritt are back in the mix.
France: 15 Leo Barre, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Émilien Gailleton, 12 Yoram Morgana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Thomas Ramos, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Grégory Alldritt, 7 Alexandre Roumat, 6 François Cros, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Tevita Tatafu, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Mickaël Guillard, 20 Paul Boudehent, 21 Maxime Lucu, 22 Matthieu Jalibert, 23 Gaël Fickou
Date: Saturday, November 9
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Kick-off: 22.10 GMT (07.10 Sunday, November 10 Japan time)
Referee: Damian Schneider (Argentina)
Assistant Referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), James Doleman (New Zealand)
TMO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)