Scrumhalf Maxime Lucu has been named to start for France in their upcoming match against Fiji in Bordeaux on Saturday, stepping in for Nolann Le Garrec, who is sidelined with a thigh injury. This decision was announced by the French team on Thursday. In total, coach Fabien Galthie has implemented six changes to the lineup that faced world champions South Africa in a recent defeat (32-17) at the Stade de France.
Among the notable inclusions is the return of captain Gregory Alldritt, who will play at number eight, replacing Mickael Guillard. Galthie praised Alldritt’s exceptional contributions over the past three years, highlighting both his quality and need for regeneration.
France aims to rebound from last week’s struggles, particularly in overcoming their shortcomings at the breakdown and enhancing their offensive fluidity. They will face a tough opponent in Fiji, who are known for their dynamic and physical offloading game, demanding a disciplined effort from Les Bleus.
The French starting lineup will include:
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.
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.
Built on a foundation of hope and determination, both teams enter this match after facing defeats in their previous outings—Fiji losing to England (38-18) and France to South Africa. The clash not only serves as a pivotal moment in their respective journeys but also an opportunity for both sides to demonstrate resilience and growth in preparation for future international challenges, including Fiji’s aspirations leading up to the 2027 Rugby World Cup. As they vie for improvement and showcase their skills on an esteemed international platform, fans can expect an exciting and intense match this Saturday.