France recall superstar for Fiji as they look to rebound from Bok loss

Gregory Alldritt will captain France against Fiji on Saturday, marking his return to the matchday 23 after missing out on the defeat to South Africa last week.

The No.8 was a surprise omission from the 32-17 loss to the Springboks to start their Quilter Nations Series campaign, but now returns following an injury to Mickaël Guillard.

The La Rochelle star is one of six changes made by Fabien Galthie – some due to injury, some tactical.

The captaincy has been handed to the No.8 following the decision to drop centre Gael Fickou, with Nicolas Depoortère starting in the midfield instead.

There will be no dearth in leadership in the team, however, with former captain Charles Ollivon starting in the second-row alongside Emmanuel Meafou in place of Thibaud Flament.

Fixture

Internationals

France

34 - 21

Full-time

Fiji

All Stats and Data

After loosehead prop Baptiste Erdocio and scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec sustained injuries this week, Jean-Baptiste Gros and Maxime Lucu will start in their place.

On the bench, Bordeaux-Begles hooker Maxime Lamothe is poised to win his first cap for Les Bleus.

France XV
1. Jean-Baptiste Gros
2. Julien Marchand
3. Régis Montagne
4. Charles Ollivon
5. Emmanuel Meafou
6. Anthony Jelonch
7. Oscar Jegou
8. Grégory Alldritt (c)
9. Maxime Lucu
10. Romain Ntamack
11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey
12. Pierre-Louis Barassi
13. Nicolas Depoortere
14. Damian Penaud
15. Thomas Ramos

Replacements
16. Maxime Lamothe
17. Rodrigue Neti
18. Thomas Laclayat
19. Romain Taofifenua
20. Hugo Auradou
21. Paul Boudehent
22. Baptiste Jauneau
23. Emilien Gailleton