Galthié picks his flyhalf for clash against England
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Matthieu Jalibert keeps his place as starting flyhalf ahead of the returning Romain Ntamack for Covid-hit France’s Six Nations visit to England this weekend, head coach Fabien Galthié announced on Thursday.
Galthié has chosen to keep Jalibert in his starting line-up for Saturday’s match at Twickenham despite Ntamack recovering from a double jaw fracture.
Centre Virimi Vakatawa will make his first appearance of this year’s tournament after missing the opening two games, victories at Italy and Ireland, with a knee injury
Romain Taofifenua replaces lock Bernard Le Roux after the South African-born lock was ruled out of this week’s games.
Les Bleus’ third game of the campaign against Scotland, originally scheduled for February 28, was cancelled after 12 squad members contracted coronavirus.
France: 15 Brice Dulin, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Virimi Vakatawa, 12 Gael Fickou, 11 Teddy Thomas, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon (captain), 6 Dylan Cretin, 5 Paul Willemse, 4 Romain Taofifenua, 3 Mohamed Haouas, 2 Julian Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille.
Replacements: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Cyril Cazeau, 20 Cameron Woki, 21 Anthony Jelonch, 22 Baptiste Serin, 23 Romain Ntamack.
Date: Saturday, March 13
Venue: Twickenham Stadium, London
Kick-off: 16.45 (16.45 GMT; 17.45 France time)
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Mike Adamson (Scotland), Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Joy Neville (Ireland)
