France hand recall to Fijian-born powerhouse Raka for November internationals

France have recalled Fijian-born Clermont winger Alivereti Raka for the autumn international series, which kicks off with a test against Australia.

Montpellier fullback Anthony Bouthier has also been brought back into a 42-man squad that includes eight uncapped players.

Fijian-born Raka, 27, made the last of his five test appearances in December 2020 and returns to the national set-up after a strong start to the season, as does the 30-year-old Bouthier who last featured in July 2021.

Flyhalf Romain Ntamack has also been included in the squad named by Fabien Galthie on Monday despite not playing for Top 14 leaders Toulouse since September due to an ankle injury.

Ntamack will join Toulouse team mates Antoine Dupont, Matthis Lebel, Pierre-Louis Barassi and Thomas Ramos, but fullback Melvyn Jaminet missed out after picking up an ankle injury at the weekend.

Forwards Reda Wardi, Thomas Laclayat, Florian Verhaeghe and Jordan Joseph along with Leo Berdeu, Ethan Dumortier, Romain Buros and Pablo Uberti are among those in contention to earn their first caps.

France will host the Wallabies on November 5 in Paris and South Africa on November 12 in Marseille before taking on Japan in Toulouse six days later.

Squad:

Forwards: Gregory Alldritt, Uini Atonio, Alexandre Becognee, Pierre Bourgarit, Dylan Cretin, Sipili Falatea, Thibaud Flament, Killian Geraci, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Mohamed Haouas, Anthony Jelonch, Jordan Joseph, Thomas Laclayat, Sekou Macalou, Julien Marchand, Peato Mauvaka, Charles Ollivon, Dany Priso, Yoan Tanga, Romain Taofifenua, Florian Verhaeghe, Reda Wardi, Paul Willemse, Cameron Woki

Backs: Pierre-Louis Barassi, Leo Berdeu, Anthony Bouthier, Romain Buros, Baptiste Couilloud, Jonathan Danty, Ethan Dumortier, Antoine Dupont, Gael Fickou, Matthieu Jalibert, Matthis Lebel, Maxime Lucu, Yoram Moefana, Romain Ntamack, Damian Penaud, Alivereti Raka, Thomas Ramos, Pablo Uberti.