France receive huge injury boost with two stars returning to face Namibia

Fabien Galthie has recalled a number of his regular starters for France’s meeting with Namibia on Thursday in Marseille after his second-string squad failed to take their opportunity against Uruguay last week.

The head coach had made 12 changes to the starting XV from the team that had beaten the All Blacks in the opening game of the World Cup, but after they failed to pick up a bonus point in a sloppy win over the South Americans he has reverted back to his frontline players.

The starting XV at the Stade Velodrome will be almost as strong as France could possibly put out, save for No8 Gregory Alldritt, and the team have received the extra boost of starting loosehead Cyril Baille and centre Jonathan Danty. La Rochelle’s Danty picked up a hamstring injury days before the All Blacks clash but is now fit to start, while Baille has made a swifter return than many expected from his calf injury, as he was initially expected to miss the pool stages.

Though the lack of a bonus point against Uruguay is unlikely to prove too consequential, the performance may have led to some players playing themselves out of contention of starting in France’s bigger games this World Cup.

After facing Namibia this Thursday, France have a two week break before closing the pool stages with Italy in Lyon.

France XV
15. Thomas Ramos
14. Damian Penaud
13. Gael Fikou
12. Jonathan Danty
11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey
10. Matthieu Jalibert
9. Antoine Dupont (c)
1. Cyril Baille
2. Peato Mauvaka
3. Uini Atonio
4. Cameron Woki
5. Thiabuad Flament
6. Francois Cros
7. Charles Ollivon
8. Anthony Jelonch

Replacements:
16. Pierre Bourgarit
17. Reda Wardi
18. Dorian Aldegheri
19. Romain Taofifénua
20. Paul Boudehent
21. Baptiste Couilloud
22. Yoram Moefana
23. Melvyn Jaminet