France reveal changes as Galthie sticks with controversial bench tactic
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Maxime Lucu starts instead of the injured Antoine Dupont for France’s Six Nations title decider with Scotland in Paris this weekend, head coach Fabien Galthie announced on Thursday.
Scrumhalf Lucu is one of two changes from last weekend’s trouncing of holders Ireland.
Victory this Saturday at the Stade de France guarantees Les Bleus the trophy for the second time in three years.
Captain Dupont has been ruled out for at least six months with a serious knee injury suffered in Dublin and was substituted by 32-year-old Lucu at Lansdowne Road.
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The other modification is Gael Fickou replacing Pierre-Louis Barassi in midfield to partner Yoram Moefana.
Barassi suffered a head injury in the Ireland win.
No.8 Gregory Alldritt leads the side, as he did in the Irish capital after Dupont’s injury.
Meanwhile, Galthie has again opted for a seven-one forward-heavy bench split.
It’s a tactic that was used in France’s last two outings against Ireland and Italy.
France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damia Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Gregory Alldritt (captain), 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Mickael Guillard, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros.
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Hugo Auradou, 20 Emmanuel Meafou, 21 Oscar Jegou, 22 Anthony Jelonch, 23 Nolann Le Garrec.
Date: Saturday, March 15
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Kick-off: 21.00 (20.00 GMT)
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Six Nations
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