Scrumhalf Maxime Lucu has been named as the starting player for France in their upcoming match against Fiji in Bordeaux on Saturday, replacing Nolann Le Garrec, who is recovering from a thigh injury. The announcement came from the French team on Thursday, marking a strategic shift as coach Fabien Galthie has opted for six changes to the lineup that recently suffered a defeat to world champions South Africa with a score of 32-17 at Stade de France.
One significant adjustment is the return of captain Gregory Alldritt, who will take on the number eight position, stepping in for Mickael Guillard. Galthie has lauded Alldritt’s outstanding contributions over the past three years, emphasizing both his high caliber and the need for rejuvenation within the squad.
As France gears up for this critical match, they aim to bounce back from last week’s performance, particularly focusing on addressing their shortcomings at the breakdown and improving their offensive flow. This encounter against Fiji poses a considerable challenge, given Fiji’s reputation for a dynamic and physical offloading game, which calls for disciplined execution from the French team.
The French starting lineup features:
15-Thomas Ramos, 14-Damian Penaud, 13-Nicolas Depoortere, 12-Pierre-Louis Barassi, 11-Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10-Romain Ntamack, 9-Maxime Lucu, 8-Gregory Alldritt (captain), 7-Oscar Jegou, 6-Anthony Jelonch, 5-Emmanuel Meafou, 4-Charles Ollivon, 3-Regis Montagne, 2-Julien Marchand, 1-Jean-Baptiste Gros.
The replacements for the match include: 16-Maxime Lamothe, 17-Rodrigue Neti, 18-Thomas Laclayat, 19-Romain Taofifenua, 20-Hugo Auradou, 21-Paul Boudehent, 22-Baptiste Jauneau, 23-Emilien Gailleton.
Both teams enter this match seeking redemption after recent defeats—Fiji lost to England with a score of 38-18, while France faced a setback against South Africa. This clash is pivotal not only for their current standings but also provides a platform for both sides to exhibit resilience and seek improvement as they prepare for future international competitions, including Fiji’s ambitions leading up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Fans can look forward to an exhilarating match this Saturday as both teams strive to prove their mettle on the international stage.