France Dupont-Ntamack lineup, Digi Mart USA News (France): Fabien Galthié, who has said he sometimes feels he is coaching a “team of survivors” because of the many injuries to his internationals, has named his France XV to face Fiji on Saturday. The match opens the second half of the Championnat des nations, and the coach has had to work with about twenty players unavailable or sidelined.
The most notable return is the halfback pairing of Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack, who have not played together for 609 days, since Ntamack’s serious knee injury during France’s 42-27 win in Ireland on March 8, 2025. It is the combination Galthié has used most since taking charge.
Elsewhere, the staff has picked a new back row, with François Cros at number 8 flanked by Paul Boudehent, who was briefly doubtful after neck pain, and Cameron Woki, back in the spotlight since returning to UBB. Woki’s last France start came in February 2024.
Oscar Jegou was ruled out at the last minute with a rib injury and is replaced on the bench by Esteban Capilla of Bayonne, who will make his international debut.
The three-quarter line also changes, with Théo Attissogbe at fullback, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang on the wings, a choice that bets on speed against the unpredictable Fijians. Toulouse’s Kalvin Gourgues will make his first start for France at centre after a strong international debut.
In the pack, Mickaël Guillard keeps his place after a dip in form last summer, and Florian Verhaeghe, Montpellier’s Top 14 finalist, gets another chance after strong performances in the southern hemisphere. Jean-Baptiste Gros is retained at loosehead, while Sipili Falatea is given a chance at tighthead.
Maxime Lamothe competes at hooker behind the injured Julien Marchand and Peato Mauka.
France finished top of the northern group in the first half of the Championnat des nations, with 12 points, ahead of Scotland on 11. England are third on 10, Ireland follow, Wales are fifth on 5 and Italy are bottom with no points.
France XV: Attissogbe; Grandidier-Nkanang, Gourgues, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey; Ntamack (o), Dupont (m); Woki, Cros, Boudehent; Guillard, Verhaeghe; Falatea, Lamothe, Gros. Replacements: Mauvaka, Poirot, Montagne, Ollivon, Staniforth, Capilla, Lucu, Gailleton.
