Galthie brings in replacement for Danty to face Kiwis
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France coach Fabien Galthie has named his side to face New Zealand in their World Cup opener this weekend at Stade de Francais.
Centre Yoram Moefana will replace the injured Jonathan Danty in France’s side.
Moefana’s breakout season with Bordeaux earned him a test call up in November 2020.
He became the first French International born in the 2000s when he came off the bench in France’s Nations Cup test against Italy.
Moefana featured in Bordeaux-Begles’ run to the Champions Cup semi-finals in 2021, starting in all three knockout games. In 2022 he debuted in the Six Nations against Italy.
La Rochelle’s Danty, 30, suffered a hamstring injury late last month and will miss Friday’s highly-anticipated match in Paris.
Bordeaux-Begles’ Moefana, 23, is in line to make his 15th Test start against the three-time World Cup winners.
France: 15 Thomas Ramos; 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Gabin Villiere; 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont; 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Francois Cros; 5 Thibaud Flament, 4 Cameron Woki; 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Reda Wardi
Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifienua, 20 Paul Boudehent, 21 Maxime Lucu, 22 Arthur Vincent, 23 Melvyn Jaminet
Date: Friday, September 8
Venue: Stade de France,
Kick-off: 21.15 (19.15 GMT; 07.15 Saturday, September 9 New Zealand time )
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson, Christophe Ridley
TMO: Tom Foley
