Alivereti Raka to make France debut against Scotland

Colin Newboult

ASM Clermont Auvergne's Alivereti Raka is tackled La Rochelle's Arthur Retiere (right) and Geoffrey Doumayrou during the Challenge Cup Final at St James' Park, Newcastle.

Fijian-born Clermont Auvergne wing Alivereti Raka will make his France debut after being named in the XV to take on Scotland in Nice on Saturday.

Les Jaunards’ speedster qualifies through residency having joined Clermont in 2015 and has become one of the premier backs in Europe over the past few years.

Raka is joined in the back three by fellow Clermont wing Damian Penaud and Toulouse full-back Maxime Medard, while Wesley Fofana and Gael Fickou line up at centre.

In the playmaking positions, following an outstanding season domestically and in Europe, Antoine Dupont is at scrum-half with Camille Lopez outside him at fly-half.

Up front, Jefferson Poirot takes the captaincy due to the absence of Guilhem Guirado and he is joined by Camille Chat and Rabah Slimani in the front-row.

Finally, the back five has a fresh look to it, despite the inclusion of the experienced Sebastien Vahaamahina, with Paul Gabrillagues, Charles Ollivon, Gregory Alldritt and debutant Francois Cros completing the XV.

There could also be first caps for Peato Mauvaka and Emerick Setiano, who take their place on the bench, while fellow replacements Dany Priso, Felix Lambey, Louis Picamoles, Baptiste Serin, Romain Ntamack and Thomas Ramos will add plenty of firepower should they get on the field.

France: 15 Maxime Medard, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Alivereti Raka, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 4 Paul Gabrillagues, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Camille Chat, 1 Jefferson Poirot (c)
Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Dany Priso, 18 Emerick Setiano, 19 Felix Lambey, 20 Louis Picamoles, 21 Baptiste Serin, 22 Romain Ntamack, 23 Thomas Ramos

Date: Saturday, August 17
Venue: Allianz Riviera, Nice
Kick-off: 21:00 local (20:00 BST, 19:00 GMT)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant Referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)