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Autumn Nations Series

France forced into yet more squad changes as two drop out

By Josh Raisey

46 days ago

Joshua Brennan of Toulouse during the Investec Champions Cup final between Leinster and Toulouse at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England. (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

France’s uncapped duo of Joshua Brennan and Regis Montagne have dropped out of their 42-man squad as they prepare to face Japan on Saturday at the Stade de France.

The pair have been replaced in the squad by 62-cap veteran prop Uini Atonio and ASM Clermont back-row Killian Tixeront.

Atonio was originally included in Fabien Galthie’s squad for the Autumn Nations Series, but missed the first week of their Marcoussis camp due to a calf injury. Montagne was called up to replace him, but will now return to his club Clermont.

Tixeront made his France debut in July from the bench in the 33-25 loss to Argentina in Buenos Aires.

Les Bleus host Japan on Saturday in the first Test of their November campaign, before visits from the All Blacks and Argentina.

Fixture

Internationals

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52 - 12

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Japan

All Stats and Data

France’s updated 42-man squad
Forwards
Grégory Alldritt (La Rochelle)
Uini Atonio (La Rochelle)
Gaëtan Barlot (Castres)
Pierre Bochaton (Bordeaux Bègles)
Paul Boudehent (La Rochelle)
Georges-Henri Colombe (La Rochelle)
François Cros (Toulouse)
Thibaud Flament (Toulouse)
Marko Gazzotti (Bordeaux Bègles)
Jean-Baptiste Gros (Toulon)
Mickaël Guillard (Lyon)
Anthony Jelonch (Toulouse)
Julien Marchand (Toulouse)
Peato Mauvaka (Toulouse)
Emmanuel Meafou (Toulouse)
Lenni Nouchi (Montpellier)
Charles Ollivon (Toulon)
Alexandre Roumat (Toulouse)
Romain Taofifenua (Racing 92)
Sébastien Taofifenua (Lyon)
Tevita Tatafu (Bayonne)
Killian Tixeront (Asm Clermont)
Reda Wardi (La Rochelle)

Backs
Théo Attissogbe (Pau)
Léo Barré (Stade Francais)
Léo Berdeu (Lyon)
Louis Bielle-Biarrey (Bordeaux Bègles)
Romain Buros (Bordeaux Bègles)
Paul Costes (Toulouse)
Léon Darricarrère (Asm Clermont)
Antoine Dupont (Toulouse)
Gaël Fickou (Racing 92)
Antoine Frisch (Toulon)
Émilien Gailleton (Pau)
Matthieu Jalibert (Bordeaux Bègles)
Mathis Lebel (Toulouse)
Yoram Moefana (Bordeaux Bègles)
Damian Penaud (Bordeaux Bègles)
Thomas Ramos (Toulouse)
Baptiste Serin (Toulon)
Gabin Villière (Toulon)

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Comments on RugbyPass

Barry 44 minutes ago

'Springbok Galacticos can't go it alone for trophy-hunting Sharks'

Always has elevated the profile of African rugby?

They didn't do much for the games profile from 1981 - 1992. Not in a positive sense at least.

5 Go to comments

Bull Shark 52 minutes ago

'Tom has the potential to be better than a British and Irish Lion'

What does “better than a British Lion” mean?

As good as a springbok?

6 Go to comments

Hellhound 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

On this I agree with you. There were many great teams and many different eras of rugby with very different rule sets. It's actually impossible to declare one team or player as the best ever. However, this is definitely the best SA team SA has ever had. All the accolades speaks for itself.

129 Go to comments

Hellhound 1 hour ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

All you can do is hate on SA. Jealousy makes you nasty and it's never a good look. Those who actually knows rugby is all talking about the depth and standards of the SA players. They don't wear blinders like you. The NH had many years to build the depth and players for multiple competition the SA teams didn't. There will be growing pains. Not least travel issues. The NH teams barely have to travel to play an opponent opposed to the SA teams. That is just one issue. There is many more issues, hence the "growing pains". The CC isn't yet a priority and this is what most people have a problem with. Saying SA is disrespecting that competition which isn't true. SA don't have the funds yet to go big and get the players needed for 3 competitions. It all costs a lot of money. It's over using players and get them injured or prioritising what they can deliver with what are available. To qualify for CC, they need to perform well in the URC, so that is where the main priorities is currently. In time that will change with sponsors coming in fast. They are at a distinct disadvantage currently compared to the rest. Be happy about that, because they already are the best international team. You would have hated it if they kept winning the club competitions like the URC and CC every year too. Don't be such a sourmouth loser. See the complete picture and judge accordingly. There is many factors you aren't even aware of at play that you completely ignore just to sound relevant. Instead of being an positive influence and spread the game and help it grow, we have to read nonsense like this from haters. Just grow up and stop hating on the game. Go watch soccer or something that loves people like you.

129 Go to comments

Barry 2 hours ago

URC chief executive addresses potential Premiership merger

The RFU won't go for it especially now they've enhanced hybrid contracts and some control over their international players.

2 Go to comments

Barry 5 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Exactly. They haven't learnt. Their regions and U20s are also whipping boys which is the bigger concern. Nothing coming through.

They maxed out the credit cards to keep their golden generation of players at home. It's now destroyed the game at every level in Wales.

10 Go to comments

Barry 5 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

Nor can the same coach turn it around. That's been proven across the last year. It will be years before they are even competitive again. It's a 5 year + job. No way Gatland will be around for that.

Italy's nadir was around ten years ago and even they were better equipped with their regions, U20s and senior squad and management. Wales have further to fall.

10 Go to comments

Barry 5 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

If they're happy at losing 12 on the bounce, get a regional coach who would be as bad but cost about a sixth in salary.

10 Go to comments

dw 6 hours ago

Does South Africa have a future in European competition?

I'm no expert but I've never seen nz or even aus as doing much for those nations? Both have benefited from their countries players playing for us! I see most of the top nations looking after themselves and maybe it's a world rugby issue?

129 Go to comments

richard davies 6 hours ago

Warren Gatland finds out his fate as Wales undergo huge changes

At 600k a year I would think there will be quite a Que. win lose or draw you can blame the small stature of the players and the WRU