France forced to change

INJURY UPDATE: France’s New Zealand-born prop Atonio Uini has been called up to replace injured Wilfrid Hounkptain ahead of the team’s Six Nations opener against England on Sunday.

Castres’ uncapped 28-year-old Hounkptain has sustained an injury to his ribs, the French rugby federation announced, just hours before coach Fabien Galthie was due to unveil his 23-strong match-day squad for the game at Stade de France.

Atonio, 29, missed out on selection for last season’s Rugby World Cup in Japan, winning the last of his 32 caps for Les Bleus in the 24-19 defeat by Wales in the 2019 Six Nations.