France v Fiji - Teams and Prediction

PREVIEW: World Cup hosts France will welcome Fiji to Stade de la Beaujoire for a warm-up match on Saturday evening and there is no doubt that Fabien Galthie’s side needs a strong performance against an ever improving Fiji.

But, while France only managed a narrow win over Scotland in Saint-Etienne last week, Fiji’s recent performances on the world stage have seen them move up the world rankings, leapfrogging Wales into ninth and closing the gap on a struggling Wallabies in eighth place.

Fiji put in a solid performance against Japan two weeks ago and secured a commanding 21-0 first-half lead, with their opponents reduced to 14 men just six minutes into the match, earning them a solid 35-12 victory.

That result followed consecutive wins over Samoa (33-19) and Tonga (36-20) last month and also means that they come into this match riding a four-match winning streak, last losing to Ireland in November last year.

Galthie’s side were made to relinquish the Six Nations title earlier this year as their 11-match winning streak was brought to an end by Ireland, who went on to claim the trophy with a perfect record.

France have fallen to third in the world rankings, with New Zealand overtaking them into second, and they will do well not to underestimate Fiji, who have improved noticeably in recent times.

Galthie has challenged his back-up flyhalves to step up and seize the opportunity after injury robbed the team of first-choice Romain Ntamack for next month’s World Cup.

Antoine Hastoy and Matthieu Jalibert are in the running to replace Ntamack when the hosts open the tournament against New Zealand in Paris on September 8th.

“It’s part of the World Cup, of life together, and it was a monumental morning slap for all of us.

“We digested it and then afterwards got up and on with things. We think of Ntamack. But I also want to talk about the strength of character that the players have shown since Monday, their determination,” he told reporters on Thursday.

Strong Fijian wing Vinaya Habosi will make a welcome return in his first international minutes this year after suffering an injury playing for his French club Racing 92.

The powerful runner’s selection is a big boost for coach Simon Raiwalui just weeks before the start of the World Cup.

“Habosi has been knocking at the door and finally he has got a chance to showcase his talent,” Raiwalui said.

“It’s great news that he was cleared of injury and we are looking forward to seeing him and what he has to offer against France.”

“This is one of the best opportunities to test ourselves in various areas. The whole team has been working hard for the past few days since arriving at Pornic and we are ready for the match,” Raiwalui said.

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Our team 🔐 for this weekend.
🇫🇯 VS 🇫🇷 #FIJIWaterFlyingFijians#duavataveilomanirakavi#FIJIWater pic.twitter.com/CcpsJX8m3c

— Fiji Rugby Union (@fijirugby) August 17, 2023

Players to watch:

For France: The performance of flyhalf Antoine Hastoy will be under the spotlight given the World Cup-ending injury to Romain Ntamack. Paul Willemse partners Florian Verhaeghe at lock and these two will add plenty of power behind the front-row unit of Uini Atonio, Peato Mauvaka and Reda Wardi.

For Fiji: The breakdown will be absolutely critical and the visitors have the expert Levani Botia in their ranks, who plies his trade in France like several of his team-mates. Prop Eroni Mawi has shown his scrummaging prowess at Saracens this season but faces Uini Atonio in a tasty battle. If Fiji achieve parity in the scrum it provides an interesting platform for their glorious backs to work with. However, the power game of France is never to be underestimated.

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Prediction:

@rugby365com: France by 12 points

Teams:

France: 15 Melvyn Jaminet, 14 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 13 Jonathan Danty, 12 Arthur Vincent, 11 Yoram Moefana, 10 Antoine Hastoy, 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Gregory Alldritt (captain), 7 Dylan Cretin, 6Francois Cros; 5 Paul Willemse, 4 Florian Verhaeghe, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1Reda Wardi
Replacements: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Thomas Laclayat, 19 Bastien Chalureau, 20 Thibaud Flament, 21 Sekou Macalou, 22 Baptiste Serin, 23 Matthieu Jalibert

Fiji: 15 Sireli Maqala, 14 Josua Tuisova, 13 Iosefo Masi, 12 Semi Radradra (captain), 11 Vinaya Habosi, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Levani Botia, 7 Viliame Mata, 6 Meli Derenalagi, 5 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 4 Isoa Nasilasila,3 Mesake Doge, 2 Tevita Ikanivere, 1 Eroni Mawi.
Replacements: 16 Sam Matavesi, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Luke Tagi, 19 Temo Mayanavanua, 20 Albert Tuisue, 21 Simi Kuruvoli, 22 Jiuta Wainiqolo

Venue: Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
Kick-off: 21.00 (19.00 GMT)
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)
Assistant Referees: Andrea Piardi (FIR), Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)