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Antoine Dupont returns from injury as France name powerful team
By Grant Constable
French head coach Fabien Galthié has named his side to take on the Springboks in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final at Stade de France on Sunday, 15 October (21:00 CET).
Scrum-half Antoine Dupont returns from injury, just 24 days after fracturing his jaw against Namibia, to captain the side as his team look to progress into the semi finals of their home tournament.
He is the only change to the starting XV that defeated Italy 60-7 in France's last last game.
For just the second time in the tournament, coach Galthié has named a 6-2 split of forwards and backs on the bench.
Anthony Jelonch retains his place in the back row with Francois Cros one of the six forwards on the bench.
FRANCE TEAM TO PLAY SOUTH AFRICA
1 Cyril Baille
2 Peato Mauvaka
3 Uini Atonio
4 Cameron Woki
5 Thibaud Flament
6 Anthony Jelonch
7 Charles Ollivon
8 Gregory Alldritt
9 Antoine Dupont (c)
10 Matthieu Jalibert
11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey
12 Jonathan Danty
13 Gael Fickou
14 Damian Penaud
15 Thomas Ramos
Replacements:
16 Pierre Bourgarit
17 Reda Wardi
18 Dorian Aldegheri
19 Romain Taofifenua
20 Francois Cros
21 Sekou Macalou
22 Maxime Lucu
23 Yoram Moefana
Damian Penaud has scored the most tries of any player in 2023 so far with 14. He is currently enjoying a seven-game try-scoring streak, the longest of his career. He is the top try-scorer at RWC 2023 with six after the pool rounds. He is three short of setting a new tournament record.
Ahead of his first test at Stade de France, fellow wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey has scored four tries in three games at RWC 2023.
Fullback Thomas Ramos is the top points scorer at RWC 2023 with 61, with success rate of 86%.
In his 20th test as captain, Antoine Dupont is yet to lose a match on home soil. He captained France to their first win against the Springboks in 13 years in 2022.
Earlier today, South Africa named their team, with a fairly surprising halfback combination:
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Latest Comments
No he's just limited in what he can do. Like Scott Robertson. And Eddie Jones.
Sometimes it doesn't work out so you have to go looking for another national coach who supports his country and believes in what he is doing. Like NZ replacing Ian Foster. And South Africa bringing Erasmus back in to over see Neinbar.
This is the real world. Not the fantasy oh you don't need passion for your country for international rugby. Ask a kiwi, or a south african or a frenchman.
Go to commentsDont complain too much or start jumping to conclusions.
Here in NZ commentators have been blabbing that our bottom pathway competition the NPC (provincial teams only like Taranaki, Wellington etc)is not fit for purpose ie supplying players to Super rugby level then they started blabbing that our Super Rugby comp (combined provincial unions making up, Crusaders, Hurricanes, etc) wasn't good enough without the South African teams and for the style SA and the northern powers play at test level.
Here is what I reckon, Our comps are good enough for how WE want to play rugby not how Ireland, SA, England etc play. Our comps are high tempo, more rucks, mauls, running plays, kicks in play, returns, in a game than most YES alot of repetition but that builds attacking skillsets and mindsets. I don't want to see world teams all play the same they all have their own identity and style as do England (we were scared with all this kind of talk when they came here) World powerhouse for a reason, losses this year have been by the tiniest of margins and could have gone either way in alot of games. Built around forward power and blitz defence they have got a great attack Wingers are chosen for their Xfactor now not can they chase up and unders all day. Stick to your guns its not far off
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