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Fabien Galthie names a France team with three changes for England
By Liam Heagney
France boss Fabien Galthie has named a team to take on England this Saturday at Twickenham that contains three changes from the Guinness Six Nations round three win over Scotland. That 32-21 victory kept the defending champions in this year’s title hunt but it came at a price as Mohamed Haouas was red-carded and Anthony Jelonch seriously injured.
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Haouas’ subsequent suspension left the French concerned at tighthead as Uini Atonio, their No3 starter in the opening round games against Italy and Ireland, is also currently still serving a suspension after he was cited and banned for an incident in Dublin.
That issue has now been resolved by France naming Dorian Aldegheri to start. Although capped eight times, the Toulouse prop hasn’t played at Test level since the 2021 Six Nations game versus England in London.
Elsewhere in the pack, back-rower Jelonch ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee against the Scots and his place has gone to Francois Cros, who was on the bench the last day.
In the backline, Jonathan Danty has shrugged off his new-year injury troubled by pitching up fit to take the inside centre spot that had been filled by Yoram Moefana, who now slips to the bench.
?????????? Ce week-end c’est ?? ?????? à Twickenham ?
Rendez-vous samedi à 17h45 ! #NefaisonsXV #XVdeFrance #ANGFRA pic.twitter.com/BJd6f8Mp2L
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) March 9, 2023
Against the Scots, France went with a six/two forwards/backs split but they have rejigged that for Twickenham, opting for a five/three split. With back-rower Cros promoted to the starting team, Galthie has named an extra back in Moefana.
The coach has also changed some of his personnel. Peato Mauvaka is now the replacement hooker in place of Gaetan Barlot, while in the backs Maxime Lucu and Melvyn Jaminet are in for Baptiste Couilloud and Matthieu Jalibert.
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