France hit with ANOTHER injury to star back on the eve of Six Nations clash

Fabien Galthie has been forced into yet another change to his France starting line-up following an injury to winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who will miss the clash against Italy on Sunday.

It is yet another blow to Les Bleus, who are also without stand-in captain Gregory Alldritt after his injury against Scotland last week.

Matthis Lebel answers France’s SOS

Bielle-Biarrey is ruled out with a back injury that he sustained in training and has been replaced by Toulouse speedster Matthis Lebel.

Lebel was set to start the Top 14 clash against Clermont on Sunday but has answered Galthie’s SOS and has been brought in as a straight swap for Les Bleus and will start the clash in Lille.

The remainder of the team remains unchanged, with Thomas Ramos and Damian Penaud named in the back three. Jonathan Danty and Gaël Fickou continue in the centres, with Maxime Lucu and Matthieu Jalibert as the starting half-backs.

Paul Boudehent came into the team to replace the injured Alldritt as Francois Cros shifted to the number eight jersey. Charles Ollivon is now captaining the side from the number seven jumper.

Posolo Tuilagi earns his first start at lock and is partnered by Cameron Woki. Props Cyril Baille and Uini Atonio are joined by hooker Peato Mauvaka in the front-row.

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Updated: France v Italy teams

France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gaël Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Matthis Lebel, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 François Cros, 7 Charles Ollivon (c), 6 Paul Boudehent, 5 Posolo Tuilagi, 4 Cameron Woki, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Cyril Baille
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Sebastien Taofifenua, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Alexandre Roumat, 21 Esteban Abadie, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Yoram Moefana

Italy: 15 Ange Capuozzo, 14 Tommaso Menoncello, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Federico Mori, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Martin Page-Relo, 8 Ross Vintcent, 7 Michele Lamaro (c), 6 Riccardo Favretto, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Niccolò Cannone, 3 Giosuè Zilocchi, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 1 Danilo Fischetti
Replacements: 16 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Simone Ferrari, 19 Matteo Canali, 20 Andrea Zambonin, 21 Manuel Zuliani, 22 Stephen Varney, 23 Leonardo Marin

Date: Sunday, February 25
Venue: Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille
Kick-off: 15:00 GMT
Referee: Christophe Ridley (England)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (England), Craig Evans (Wales)
TMO: Ian Tempest (England)

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