Les Bleus are launching their Nations Championship campaign in Lyon before heading into high-profile clashes against South Africa and Argentina. The match marks an immediate international opportunity for Esteban Capilla, who joined the national squad as a mid-week injury replacement. Captain Antoine Dupont leads a reshuffled lineup that balances seasoned core starters with fresh talent across the matchday 23. In the pack, Francois Cros will anchor the scrum from number eight alongside loose forwards Cameron Woki and Paul Boudehent.
Key points
The French coaching staff has integrated former Sevens talent directly into the senior ma…: The French coaching staff has integrated former Sevens talent directly into the senior matchday squad for the tournament opener.
Established halfbacks Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack will guide the backline through t…: Established halfbacks Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack will guide the backline through the start of the Nations Championship.
Saturday's fixture in Lyon begins a demanding sequence of matches leading toward the tour…: Saturday's fixture in Lyon begins a demanding sequence of matches leading toward the tournament finals weekend.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
Nov 5 : Uncapped loose forward Esteban Capilla could make his France debut off the bench after being named in the matchday 23 by coach Fabien Galthie for Saturday's Nations Championship fixture against Fiji in Lyon.
• Antoine Dupont will captain the side from scrumhalf and partner Romain Ntamack in the halfback pairing
• Yoram Moefana and Kalvin Gourgues form the centre pairing, with livewire Louis Bielle-Biarrey and English-born Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang on the wings and Theo Attissogbe at fullback
• Maxime Lamothe starts at hooker alongside props Jean-Baptiste Gros and Sipili Falatea in the front row, while Florian Verhaeghe and Mickaël Guillard form the lock pairing
• Francois Cros starts at number eight, with loose forwards Cameron Woki and Paul Boudehent also selected
• Former Sevens player Capilla earns his place in the squad after an injury on Wednesday to Oscar Jegou
• France also face South Africa on November 13 and Argentina eight days later, ahead of the Nations Championship finals weekend
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