Galthié reveals France team to face Italy
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Head coach Fabien Galthié has named his France team to take on Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Saturday in the opening round of the Six Nations.
The team, who finished their final training session on home soil in Nice on Wednesday, is markedly different to the relatively inexperienced side that brought England into extra time in the thrilling final of the Nations Cup in December.
La Rochelle star Gregory Alldritt is named at No.8 after overcoming a possible injury scare in the lead up to the tournament. Bernard Le Roux starts in the second row alongside Paul Willemse. Brice Dulin starts at No.15.
Cyril Baille starts at loosehead alongside Julien Marchand at hooker, with Mohamed Haouas on the tighthead.
Reigning Six Nations Player of the Tournament Antoine Dupont starts at No.9 alongside Matthieu Jailbert at flyhalf. Gael Fickou and Arthur Vincent make up the midfield with Teddy Thomas and Gabin Villière on opposite wings.
France: 15 Brice Dulin, 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 Arthur Vincent, 12 Gael Fickou, 11 Gabin Villiere, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon (captain), 6 Dylan Cretin, 5 Paul Willemse, 4 Bernard Le Roux, 3 Mohamed Haouas, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille.
Replacements: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Dorian Aldeghiri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Anthony Jeronch, 21 Baptiste Serin, 22 Louis Carbonel, 23 Damian Penaud.
Date: Saturday, February 6
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Kick-off: 15.15 (14.15 GMT)
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Mike Adamson (Scotland), Christophe Ridley (England)
TMO: Karl Dickson (England)
@RugbyPass
