Ntamack takes centre stage for France
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France head coach Fabien Galthie on Thursday named regular flyhalf Romain Ntamack at centre for this weekend’s home Test with Argentina.
Bordeaux-Begles’ Matthieu Jalibert will wear the No.10 shirt as Toulouse’s Ntamack covers for injured midfielders Virimi Vakatawa and Arthur Vincent.
Ntamack’s club teammate Thibaud Flament, 24, will make his international debut for Saturday’s game at the Stade de France.
Jalibert’s domestic halfback partner Maxime Lucu will make his Test bow if he comes off the bench.
Scrumhalf Antoine Dupont will captain the side for the first time with Charles Ollivon suffering from a long-term knee issue.
France: 15 Melvyn Jaminet, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Romain Ntamack, 11 Gabin Villiere, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Anthony Jelonch, 7 Cameron Woki, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Paul Willemse, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Mohamed Haouas, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille.
Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Jean-Baptise Gros, 18 Demba Bamba, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Gregory Alldritt, 21 Sekou Macalou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Jonathan Danty.
Date: Saturday, November 6
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 21.00 (20.00 GMT; 17.00 ART)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (England), Christophe Ridley (England)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
