Covid-hit France bring in powerhouse for Scotland
SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: France have brought in Demba Bamba has part of the three changes to their 31-strong Six Nations squad.
Fresh from away wins over Italy and Ireland, the fixture versus the Scots will be the first home game of the campaign for the Grand Slam-chasing French who are seeking to win a first Six Nations title since 2010.
Fabien Galthie has called up 31 players to assemble next Sunday for their third match this month and there are three alterations to what he has worked with during recent weeks. Hassane Kolingar, Baptiste Pesenti and Dorian Aldegheri have all left the France group and they have been replaced by Jean-Baptiste Gros, Swan Rebbadj and Demba Bamba.
The squad announcement on Wednesday rounded off a tricky few days for the French as it was confirmed earlier in the day that assistant coach William Servat had become the third member of the management team to test positive for Covid-19.
The French rugby federation had announced on Tuesday that Les Bleus head coach Galthie had tested positive, while one other unnamed person also produced a positive test. All the players, though, returned a further complete round of negative tests.
“Additional PCR tests will be carried out at home on Friday, as well as Sunday in the evening as soon as the players and staff arrive at the National Rugby Centre in Marcoussis,” read a French rugby federation media release. “Once the tests are completed, everyone will be placed in isolation awaiting the results.”
Forwards: Uini Atonio, Cyril Baille, Demba Bamba, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Mohamed Haouas; Pierre Bourgarit, Julien Marchand, Peato Mauvaka; Killian Geraci, Bernard Le Roux, Swan Rebbadj , Romain Taofifenua , Paul Willemse ; Gregory Alldritt , Dylan Cretin , Anthony Jelonch , Charles Ollivon , Cameron Woki.
Backs: Sebastien Bezy , Antoine Dupont , Baptiste Serin ; Louis Carbonel , Matthieu Jalibert ; Gael Fickou , Pierre-Louis Barassi , Arthur Vincent ; Damian Penaud , Teddy Thomas, Gabin Villiere ; Anthony Bouthier , Brice Dulin .
