Rugby-France back to full strength for second clash against Scots

(Reuters) – France have announced a powerful starting line-up for their upcoming match against Scotland in Saint Etienne this weekend, restoring their team to full strength.

This will be the second preparatory test for the Rugby World Cup hosts, following their 25-21 loss to Scotland at Murrayfield last weekend.

In the previous match, France fielded a side predominantly made up of fringe players vying for a place in the final World Cup squad. However, they allowed a 14-man Scotland team to stage a late recovery and claim victory.

Coach Fabien Galthie has made several changes to the team, retaining only loose forward Paul Boudehent and second rower Cameron Woki from the starting line-up in Edinburgh.

The formidable halfback partnership of captain Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack will be reinstated, along with the dangerous centre pairing of Gael Fickou and Jonathan Danty.

In addition, Gabin Villière and Damian Penaud will feature on the wings, while Thomas Ramos will take up the position of full back. These players are expected to play crucial roles for France in the upcoming World Cup, where they are drawn in Pool A with Italy, Namibia, New Zealand, and Uruguay.

In the lock positions, Paul Willemse sustained an injury during training this week, and Romain Taofifenua is currently nursing a thigh injury. As a result, Woki will partner with Thibaud Flament.

Dorian Aldegheri has been preferred over Uini Atonio in the front row, with Atonio set to start on the bench.

The replacements include six forwards and two backs, including the promising 20-year-old Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who made a strong impression in his debut last week.

Here is the France team: 15-Thomas Ramos, 14-Damian Penaud, 13-Gael Fickou, 12-Jonathan Danty, 11-Gabin Villiere, 10-Romain Ntamack, 9-Antoine Dupont (capt.), 8-Gregory Alldritt, 7-Charles Ollivon, 6-Paul Boudehent, 5-Thibaud Flament, 4-Cameron Woki, 3-Dorian Aldegheri, 2-Julien Marchand, 1-Cyril Baille.

Replacements: 16-Pierre Bourgarit, 17-Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18-Uini Atonio, 19-Florian Verhaeghe, 20-Bastien Chalureau, 21-Sekou Macalou, 22-Maxime Lucu, 23-Louis Bielle-Biarrey.

(Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by Angus MacSwan)