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Two changes for title-chasing France but 7-1 bench tactic retained
By Liam Heagney
Fabien Galthie has made two changes to his France team and retained his 7-1 bench split tactic for Saturday night’s Guinness Six Nations finale at home to Scotland in Paris.
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Having jumped on top of the table with last Saturday’s 42-27 trouncing of Ireland in Dublin, a win for the French over the Scots would see them clinch a first championship title since 2022.
With Antoine Dupont out of the reckoning following his 29th-minute serious knee injury at Aviva Stadium, Maxime Lucu, who impressed as the scrum-half replacement, has been promoted start in a backline containing one other change.
Midfielder Pierre-Louis Barassi, who suffered a second-half concussion in Dublin, has been replaced at outside centre by the fit-again Gael Fickou.
The starting pack that took on the Irish has been retained en bloc, as have all seven forwards who played off the bench.
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— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) March 13, 2025
The only change in the replacements is the inclusion of Nolann le Garrec as the sole back, earning a call-up due to Lucu’s promotion.
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It will be interesting to see what Scotland do. They must have a lead and exert scoreboard pressure on the game before le bomb squad emerge. If they can get ahead then they can leverage by not having to expend too much energy to catch up later in the match.
We are not afraid.