France opt for Le Garrec as Dupont replacement for South Africa Test / Photo: © AFP/File
France opt for Le Garrec as Dupont replacement for South Africa Test
La Rochelle scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec will start at scrum-half for France against South Africa in the Autumn Nations Series this weekend with Antoine Dupont injured, head coach Fabien Galthie announced on Thursday.
Le Garrec, 23, will make his 14th Test appearance on Saturday in Paris with superstar Dupont out since March with a serious knee issue.
Galthie has made 11 changes from Les Bleus' last game, a loss to New Zealand in July, for a re-match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final won by the Springboks.
France (15-1)
Thomas Ramos; Damian Penaud, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Gael Fickou (capt), Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Romain Ntamack, Nolann Le Garrec; Mickael Guillard, Anthony Jelonch, Paul Boudehent; Emmanuel Meafou, Thibaud Flament; Regis Montagne, Julien Marchand, Baptiste Erdocio
Replacements: Guillaume Cramont, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Dorian Aldegheri, Hugo Auradou, Romain Taofifenua, Oscar Jegou, Maxime Lucu, Nicolas Depoortere
Coach: Fabien Galthie (FRA)
X.Pfaff--BP
