Top 14 finalists bolster Les Bleus

Romain Ntamack will start at flyhalf for France against the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday.

Les Bleus pushed the All Blacks close in Christchurch last week, but coach Fabien Galthié has significantly strengthened his side with the arrival of players who were unavailable because of the Top 14 final.

Ntamack returns in the No 10 jersey, with Matthieu Jalibert shifting to fullback in a new-look backline. It will be the first time the two playmakers have started together for Les Bleus.

Former France Sevens star Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang will make his Test debut on the left wing after an impressive season with Pau.

TEAM: Wallabies turn to rookie for France Test

Most of Galthie’s changes come in the pack.

Brisbane-born loosehead Moses Alo-Emile is set to make his Test debut alongside returning hooker Peato Mauvaka and tighthead Demba Bamba in the front row.

Emmanuel Meafou returns to partner Florian Verhaeghe at lock, while Lenni Nouchi comes into the back row to join Marko Gazzotti and Oscar Jégou.

France have again opted for a six-two split on the bench, with Maxime Lamothe, Jefferson Poirot and Tevita Tatafu providing front-row cover.

Hugo Auradou and Tom Staniforth, who both started against New Zealand, drop to the bench alongside Killian Tixeront.

Scrumhalf Nolann Le Garrec and utility back Kalvin Gourgues complete the match 23.

FRANCE – 15 Matthieu Jalibert, 14 Théo Attissogbe, 13 Fabien Brau-Boirie, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Maxime Lucu (c), 8 Marko Gazzotti, 7 Oscar Jégou, 6 Lenni Nouchi, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Florian Verhaeghe, 3 Demba Bamba, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Moses Alo-Emile.
Bench: 16 Maxime Lamothe, 17 Jefferson Poirot, 18 Tevita Tatafu, 19 Hugo Auradou, 20 Tom Staniforth, 21 Killian Tixeront, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Kalvin Gourgues.

Weekend teams

Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images

The post Top 14 finalists bolster Les Bleus appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Romain Ntamack will start at flyhalf for France against the Wallabies in Brisbane on Saturday.
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