France v Fiji - Teams and Prediction

PREVIEW: Fabien Galthie’s wounded Six Nations champions France host Fiji in the Nations Series on Saturday, looking to get over last weekend’s humbling loss to four-time Rugby World Cup winners South Africa.

Last Saturday, Galthie was outsmarted by Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus as Les Bleus began their campaign with a humbling loss in Paris, in a repeat outcome of the World Cup quarterfinal two years ago in the same stadium.

Galthie has now lost four games on the bounce, the former captain’s worst run of results since he took over in December 2019.

“We have to be able to come through difficult moments,” Galthie told reporters on Thursday.

“We have experienced a lot together.

“They are moments that have made us stronger.

“From Monday, the coaching staff and the players were back to work,” the 56-year-old added before the game in Bordeaux.

Fiji head to the Stade Atlantique, also having suffered a loss last weekend, when England beat them at Twickenham.

“I think any international team that loses at home are going to be fired up the following week,” Fiji head coach Mick Byrne told reporters on Thursday.

“They’ve had a loss at home, and they’re going to be really fired up.

“South Africa didn’t do us any favours, that’s for sure,” the Australian added.

‘Ideal game’

Galthie has recalled two experienced heads in No.8 Gregory Alldritt and lock Charles Ollivon after the loss to the Boks, as he made six changes to his side.

Alldritt, 28, is named captain with centre Gael Fickou out of the side completely, while 32-year-old Ollivon makes his first France appearance since last November.

“They’ve been exemplary, for the youngsters who are coming through,” Galthie said.

“They’ve shown how to behave in a squad.

“The team matters more than the individual,” he added.

Byrne retains the same starting line-up from the defeat in London and includes seven France-based players in the team.

Racing 92’s Josua Tuisova and Selestino Ravutaumada, Bordeaux-Begles fullback Salesi Rayasi, winger Jiuta Wainiqolo, flyhalf Caleb Muntz, Bayonne centre Sireli Maqala and Clermont loose forward Pita Gus Sowakula start for their clubs in the Top 14 and second-tier ProD2.

“I think it’s always exciting when you represent your country against your mates you play with week to week,” Byrne said.

“I think Josua [Tuisova] said it well earlier in the week that they’ll be doing everything they can to beat their mates up, so we’ll see how that goes on Saturday,” the 66-year-old added.

The weekend’s game offers a chance to see two of the world’s most threatening backlines face off.

“I think both teams play great. That’s the ideal game of rugby, isn’t it?” Byrne said.

“Whoever can look after the ball the most and hang on to the ball will be the ones who come out on top.

“If you’re not doing anything on Saturday, you can do a lot worse things to come and watch France play against Fiji,” he added.

Flyhalf Muntz says he is relishing the chance to “unleash” his star-studded backline against Les Bleus.

“With all the weapons that we have in our backline, it’s very important that I’m kind of the one just to unleash them,” Muntz told AFP on Thursday.

“I don’t need to do too much, which is kind of a blessing for me.

“I don’t have to be relying on making any game-changing plays,” the 26-year-old added.

Players to watch

For France: The halfback combination of Maxime Lucu and Romain Ntamack could prove to be the difference from a tactical kicking point of view to nullify Fiji’s territory and space with ball in hand, which the islanders thrive off. No.8 and captain Gregory Alldritt’s leadership will be of utmost importance with youngster Oscar Jegou on his side.

For Fiji: Centre Josua Tuisova’s ability to punch holes in defensive lines will be crucial for his team to get over the gainline and create space for their dangerous outside backs. Much will rely on the boot of flyhalf Caleb Muntz in tandem with halfback partner Simione Kuruvoli to get Fiji to play in the right areas of the field. There will also be a huge responsibility on captain and hooker Tevita Ikanivere to ensure his team is flawless at set-piece and deny France any free ball to run with.

Prediction

@Rugby365: France by 20 points

Teams

France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Nicolas Depoortere, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Gregory Alldritt (captain), 7 Anthony Jelonch, 6 Oscar Jegou, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Charles Ollivon, 3 Regis Montagne, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros
Replacements: 16 Maxime Lamothe, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Thomas Laclayat, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Hugo Auradou, 21 Paul Boudehent, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Emilien Gailleton

Fiji: 15 Salesi Rayasi, 14 Selestino Ravutaumada, 13 Kalaveti Ravouvou, 12 Josua Tuisova, 11 Jiuta Wainiqolo, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Simione Kuruvoli, 8 Viliame Mata, 7 Elia Canakaivata, 6 Pita Gus Sowakula, 5 Temo Mayanavanua, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Mesake Doge, 2 Tevita Ikanivere (captain), 1 Eroni Mawi
Replacements: 16 Zuriel Togiatama, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Tim Hoyt, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Kitione Salawa, 21 Sam Wye, 22 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 23 Sireli Maqala

Date: Saturday, November 15
Venue: Stade Atlantique, Bordeaux
Kick-off: 21.10 (20.10 GMT; 08.10 FJT, Sunday, November 16)
Expected weather: Partly sunny throughout the day, but a chance of rainfall is expected starting at kick-off, with wind at 19 kilometres an hour.
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
Assistant referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)