France bring in new flyer for Italy clash
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Lyon wing Ethan Dumortier will celebrate his first cap for France when the defending champions start their Six Nations campaign with a trip to Italy on Sunday.
As Les Bleus continue their journey towards the home World Cup later this year, Dumortier stands in for Gabin Villiere.
Thomas Ramos was named at fullback by head coach Fabien Galthie on Thursday at the expense of Melvyn Jaminet, who does not even feature in the 23-man squad.
Gael Fickou and Yoram Moefana will pair up at centre.
“We finished second twice in a row before winning it with a Grand Slam [last year] but our journey is not finished,” Galthie told a news conference.
“We are going to get better because our team has not yet reached the age of maturity,” he added, looking ahead to the September 8-October 28 World Cup, after the team welcomed the disgraced Bernard Laporte at their training camp.
“Our mission is a purely sporting one. Last night we invited Bernard, because if France organise the World Cup, it’s thanks to him,” general manager Raphael Ibanez said.
“And that’s where the deep motivation of our players comes from. The staff, it’s him, too.”
Laporte resigned as president of the French rugby federation (FFR) last Friday after being convicted of influence peddling and illegally acquiring assets last December.
France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Ethan Dumortier, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Paul Willemse, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille.
Replacements: 16 Gaetan Barlot, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Sipili Falatea, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Thomas Lavault, 21 Sekou Macalou, 22 Nolan Le Garrec, 23 Matthieu Jalibert.
Date: Sunday, February 5
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Kick-off: 16.00 (16.00 France time; 15.00 GMT)
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Nic Berry (Australia), Jordan Way (Australia)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
