Fickou shifts to the wing, Vakatawa fit for Cardiff clash
Peter Thompson
February 20, 2020 14:49 MYT
February 20, 2020 14:49 MYT
Gael Fickou moves to the wing and the fit-again Virimi Vakatawa is back in France's starting line-up for the Six Nations battle with Wales on Saturday.
Vakatawa was ruled out of the victory over Italy with a triceps injury but will make a centre pairing with Arthur Vincent at the Principality Stadium.
Fickou shifts out wide from midfield with Vincent Rattez (broken fibula) and Damian Penaud (calf) on the sidelines.
They are the only changes made to the starting line-up by Fabien Galthie as Les Bleus attempt to make it three wins out of three in Cardiff.
Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack have shaken off niggles to start for a France side that are joint-top with Ireland.
Prop Jean-Baptiste Gros and flanker Dylan Cretin are set to make their debuts off the bench against the defending champions, with Jefferson Poirot and Cameron Woki overlooked.
La composition pour le Pays de Galles Voici les 23 joueurs sélectionnés pour le match contre les Gallois à Cardiff, samedi à 17h45 ! !#NeFaisonsXV #XVdeFrance #PDGFRA pic.twitter.com/sZSuyRqulf — France Rugby (@FranceRugby) February 20, 2020
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France: Anthony Bouthier, Teddy Thomas, Virimi Vakatawa, Arthur Vincent, Gael Fickou, Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont; Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand, Mohamed Haouas, Bernard Le Roux, Paul Willemse, Francois Cros, Charles Ollivon (captain) Gregory Alldritt.
Replacements: Camille Chat, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Demba Bamba, Romain Taofifenua, Dylan Cretin, Baptiste Serin, Matthieu Jalibert, Thomas Ramos.