France vs Fiji rugby probable starting lineup, Digi Mart USA News (Lyon, France): Florian Verhaeghe is expected to start at lock and Théo Attissogbe at fullback, according to a report from Midi Olympique cited by Rugby Scope, as France prepares for its opening match of the Nations Championship against Fiji.
The first collective training session of the French XV took place on Tuesday morning at Marcoussis. The match will be played Saturday at 9 p.m.
at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon, the second stage of the Nations Championship.
Coach Fabien Galthié is expected to rely on Verhaeghe alongside Mickaël Guillard in the second row. Jean-Baptiste Gros has a head start at loosehead prop, alongside Maxime Lamothe and Sipili Falatea.
In the backline, few surprises are expected. Antoine Dupont, the captain, would start alongside Romain Ntamack at halfback, while Kalvin Gourgues and Yoram Moefana would be paired in the centers.
The back three would be Attissogbe at fullback, Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang on the wing and Louis Bielle-Biarrey on the other wing.
On the bench, France is expected to name six forwards and two backs, with Maxime Lucu and Émilien Gailleton among the backs. The forwards would include Péato Mauvaka, Jefferson Poirot, Régis Montagne, Hugo Auradou, Charles Ollivon and Oscar Jegou.
The lineup is a probable one based on the report and has not been officially confirmed by the coaching staff.
