FRANCE HEAD COACH Fabien Galthié on Wednesday picked Maxime Lucu to replace injured captain Antoine Dupont at scrum-half for this week’s crucial Rugby World Cup clash with Italy.
Dupont has undergone surgery on a broken cheekbone suffered in France’s last Pool A match against Namibia two weeks ago.
While the inspirational half-back is expecting to return to the team during the tournament, he has yet to be given the green light to resume competitive action.
Advertisement
Lucu got the nod over Baptiste Couilloud, who starts on the bench against the Azzurri, as he did for the 96-0 thrashing of Namibia.
The only other change to the starting lineup for Friday’s match in Lyon sees Gregory Alldritt returning at number eight, with Anthony Jelonch moving to blindside and Francois Cros dropping to the bench.
Charles Ollivon captains the side from openside in the absence of Dupont, for the first time July 2022.
France must avoid defeat against the Azzurri to book their quarter-final spot, while a victory will guarantee them first pace in the pool.
They have not lost to Italy since 2013 and only three times in 47 Tests.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Close
Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic.
Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy
here
before taking part.
Lucu replaces injured Dupont as France make two changes for Italy
FRANCE HEAD COACH Fabien Galthié on Wednesday picked Maxime Lucu to replace injured captain Antoine Dupont at scrum-half for this week’s crucial Rugby World Cup clash with Italy.
Dupont has undergone surgery on a broken cheekbone suffered in France’s last Pool A match against Namibia two weeks ago.
While the inspirational half-back is expecting to return to the team during the tournament, he has yet to be given the green light to resume competitive action.
Lucu got the nod over Baptiste Couilloud, who starts on the bench against the Azzurri, as he did for the 96-0 thrashing of Namibia.
The only other change to the starting lineup for Friday’s match in Lyon sees Gregory Alldritt returning at number eight, with Anthony Jelonch moving to blindside and Francois Cros dropping to the bench.
Charles Ollivon captains the side from openside in the absence of Dupont, for the first time July 2022.
France must avoid defeat against the Azzurri to book their quarter-final spot, while a victory will guarantee them first pace in the pool.
They have not lost to Italy since 2013 and only three times in 47 Tests.
France (v Italy)
Replacements: 16. Pierre Bourgarit, 17. Reda Wardi, 18. Dorian Aldegheri, 19. Romain Taofifenua, 20. Francois Cros, 21. Baptiste Couilloud, 22. Yoram Moefana, 23. Melvyn Jaminet.
– © AFP 2023
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
RWC2023 RWC23