France have made two changes to the side that defeated New Zealand last November as they prepare to open their 2022 Six Nations campaign against Italy in Paris on Sunday without coach Fabien Galthie.
Loose forward Dylan Cretin and hooker Julien Marchand have been brought into the starting XV, while there is also a 5-3 split between forwards and backs on the bench as opposed to 6-2 in their famous 40-25 win over the All Blacks.
Galthie will lead the side remotely this weekend having tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday morning. The rest of the squad were given the all-clear.
He will be able to join the squad again on Tuesday if he returns a negative test, but his assistant Raphael Ibanez will be in the coach’s box for the Italy clash.
“This morning, I tested positive COVID-19. I am doing well and I have light symptoms,” Galthie said in a Twitter post on Friday.
“As a result, I am going to self-isolate and will be working remotely this week. Raphael Ibanez and the rest of my staff, in whom I have full confidence, will be acting as my go-betweens on the pitch.”
Lock Cameron Woki has been declared fit to partner Paul Willemse in the second row, while in front of them in the scrum will be Marchand, and props Uini Atonio and Cyril Baille.
The back three are made up of No. 8 Gregory Alldritt, and loose-forwards Cretin and Anthony Jelonch.
Captain and recently crowned World Rugby Player of the Year Antoine Dupont is at scrumhalf to partner flyhalf Romain Ntamack. Jonathan Danty and Gael Fickou make up the midfield pairing.
Damian Penaud and Gabin Villiere are on the wing, with Melvyn Jaminet at fullback.
France have won the last 11 meetings between the sides dating back to 2014, and claimed a 50-10 victory when the teams clashed in Rome in the Six Nations last year.
France XV to face Italy:
Melvyn Jaminet, Damian Penaud, Jonathan Danty, Gael Fickou, Gabin Villiere, Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont (capt.), Gregory Alldritt, Dylan Cretin, Anthony Jelonch, Paul Willemse, Cameron Woki, Uini Atonio, Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille.
Replacements: Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Demba Bamba, Romain Taofifenua, Francois Cros, Maxime Lucu, Yoram Moefana, Thomas Ramos.
