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Antoine Dupont returns from injury as France name powerful team

MARSEILLE, FRANCE - SEPTEMBER 21: Antoine Dupont of France carries the ball down the field to score a try during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between France and Namibia at Stade Velodrome on September 21, 2023 in Marseille, France. (Photo by Lionel Hahn/Getty Images)

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).

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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.

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      The Big Jim Show Live – RWC Semi Finals

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      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.

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      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.

      Head-to-Head

      Last 5 Meetings

      Wins
      1
      Draws
      0
      Wins
      4
      Average Points scored
      23
      27
      First try wins
      60%
      Home team wins
      40%

      Earlier today, South Africa named their team, with a fairly surprising halfback combination:

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      Comments

      37 Comments
      C
      Cristin 491 days ago

      They're good, but....

      T
      Tim 494 days ago

      Allez les Bleus

      R
      Rynhard 494 days ago

      Well, I like the “new” look from the mighty Boks. Counter attacking rugby all day long… well, I hope so! GO BOKKE!

      T
      Tim 494 days ago

      Come on France show the world how rugby should be played sport should be entertainment, wins for SA, Ireland and England would be bad for rugby. Wins for France, NZ and Fiji with their particular style of rugby will help attract more fans and ultimately grow the game globally.

      P
      PaPaRumple 494 days ago

      Boks gonna run trains on that poor little guy.

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      Comments on RugbyPass

      M
      MS 3 hours ago
      Why Jac Morgan is a British and Irish Lions Test starter

      To be perfectly honest with you, Morgan’s stats don’t seem particularly convincing for a prospective Lions Test Match starting Seven.


      He’s one of Wales’ principle carriers, and he’s effective enough in that role. But that’s not the role of a Test Match Seven. It simply isn’t.


      In fact, given one of Wales’ games has been against Italy, yet Morgan has a tackle completion rate of only 85% - and worse not one single turnover to his name, if anything those stats actually spell out the reasons why Morgan SHOULDN’T be the Lions Test Seven - or even in competition for that spot.


      The series will be against an Australia team keen to compete hard on the deck. The Lions will have their pick of ball carrying B/S Flankers, Eights, and Twelves. Indeed, due to the way the modern game is played even Props and Hookers in that Lions squad will be ferocious ball carrying options. So they simply do not need a dedicated carrying option off Seven.


      I’m actually rather surprised the author used those stats to support his argument as that table achieves the complete opposite of the desired effect.


      I’m afraid tackle completion rates alone, especially without indicating if they were single vs double tackles, or dominant, are next to useless.


      I would be curious to see ‘dominant tackle’ stats, as well as tackles completed one-on-one vs as a pair. I get the impression Wales are sending two/three tacklers into the contact area each time - and even then not necessarily stopping their opponent.

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