New channel, new equipment manufacturer, return of Antoine Dupont… More than a year after his defeat in the quarter-finals of the World Cup against South Africa (29-28), a new look French XV (exit Le Coq sportif, place at Adidas) returns to the Stade de France to face Japan this Saturday, November 9, the All Blacks a week later then Argentina (November 22) during the fall tour, which will mark the return of Antoine Dupont with the Blues.
The one who abandoned the XV last season to devote himself to rugby 7 – a discipline in which he was crowned Olympic champion this summer in Paris – regains the captaincy to the detriment of Grégory Aldritt.
A Dupont hinge – Ramos, Moefana preferred to Fickou
Against Japan, Dupont will be partnered with his Stade Toulousain teammate Thomas Ramos. Yoram Moefana forms the pair in the center with the Palois Émilien Gailleton, which relegates the experienced Gaël Fickou to the bench. The Racing 92 player has not been a substitute for the Blues since the 2019 6 Nations Tournament and a home defeat against Wales (24-19), when Jacques Brunel was still coach.
For his part, Uini Atonio (touched in the calf), initially withdrawn from this first test match, was finally called up after the withdrawal of Clermontois Régis Montagne. But no risk was taken by the staff of the XV of France, who established Tevita Tatafu as right pillar. The Bayonnais will therefore celebrate his first cape with the Blues
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The composition of the Blues
Gros, Mauvaka, Tatafu, Flament, Meafou, Cros, Alldritt, Roumat, Dupont (cap), Ramos, Bielle-Biarrey, Moefana, Gailleton, Penaud, Barré.
Substitutes: Marchand, Wardi, Colombe, Guillard, Boudehent, Lucu, Jalibert, Fickou.
On which TV channel and at what time to watch France – Japan?
The test match between France and Japan can be followed this Saturday, November 9, from 9:10 p.m. TF1 which recovered the TV rights to the November tour, broadcast for years by the public service.
