XV de France team news ahead of Fiji match, Digi Mart USA News (Marcoussis, France): A possible change to the France XV for Saturday, November 7 against Fiji in Lyon could be taking shape. Florian Verhaeghe, the Montpellier second row who missed the previous national camp because of a psoas injury, took part in Tuesday’s training session with the starters.
The 28-year-old Montpellier player had not been used by his club in the recent large win over Castres last Sunday. Having been managed in recent weeks, he now appears sufficiently recovered to be considered for the French squad for this Nations Championship fixture.
Verhaeghe has five France caps, three from 2023 and two more during this summer’s Nations Championship.
In Tuesday’s session at Marcoussis, whose opening minutes were open to journalists, Verhaeghe wore a starters’ bib and played in the second row alongside Mickaël Guillard, a pairing that could be retained against Fiji. His return to the staff’s plans is a notable development, though his inclusion with the starters is not yet official confirmation of a place in the starting lineup.
Paul Boudehent, the La Rochelle back-row forward, did not take part in Tuesday’s training and was managed because of back pain. In his absence, young Bayonne player Esteban Capilla, who has yet to earn a France cap, played at number 8 during the session.
Attack coach Patrick Arlettaz, questioned by journalists, said Boudehent was experiencing “some back pain” but that this did not currently affect his availability for the Fiji match, “for now.” The staff will continue to monitor his condition before making a final decision.
Finally, Régis Montagne, the Clermont loosehead prop who was hurt in the calf at the start of the camp, returned to collective training. He wore a replacement bib on Tuesday, suggesting he could be included in the matchday squad against Fiji.
Between the possible return of Verhaeghe to the starting fifteen, the uncertainty over Boudehent and Montagne’s return, several selection decisions remain to be confirmed before Saturday’s match in Lyon.
