France team v Argentina: Megastar dropped as Fabien Galthie makes four changes to side

Louis Chapman Coombe
France

Fabien Galthie has wealed the axe this week for France's clash with Argentina.

France superstar number eight Gregory Alldritt has been axed from Fabien Galthie’s side to face Argentina this Friday night, with the La Rochelle dropped from the 23.

Alldritt has been a regular feature under Galthie but has been replaced by former captain Charles Ollivon in the back row this weekend.

Fabien Galthie makes four changes for Los Pumas clash

Galthie was clearly unhappy with the outlook of the pack in their dramatic 30-29 win over the All Blacks last weekend, with three of the four changes to his side coming in the scrum.

Uini Atonio returns at tighthead for the injured Tevita Tatafu, Francios Cros comes into the side having passed his return-to-play protocols with Alexandre Roumat dropping to the bench and the aforementioned swapping of Alldritt for Olivon completes the changes up front.

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Elsewhere in the pack, Jean-Baptiste Gros and Peato Mauvaka retain their spots in the front-row alongside Atonio. Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou will continue their solid partnership at lock. Paul Boudehent switches across to the number seven spot in the back-row, with Cros returning at six, and Ollivon occupies the eight jersey.

The only change in the France backs division comes at fullback, with last weekend’s debutant Romain Buros replaced by Leo Barre. He is joined by electric wingers Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Gabin Villiere in the back-three, with Gael Fickou and Yoram Moefana again linking up in midfield.

Thomas Ramos retains his spot at fly-half, and he links up with skipper Antoine Dupont once again, with the recent World Rugby Men’s 7s Player of the Year nominee keeping his spot at nine.

Julien Marchand, Reda Wardi, Georges-Henri Colombe,  Roumat, Mickael Guillard, Nolann Le Garrec and Emilen Gailleton are all named as replacements. There could also be a debut for 20-year-old Bordeaux back-rower Marko Gazzotti, who also comes onto the bench.

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France team v Argentina in full

France: 15 Leo Barre, 14 Gabin Villiere, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Thomas Ramos, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Charles Ollivon , 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros.
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Alexandre Roumat, 20 Mickael Guillard, 21 Marko Gazzotti, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Emilen Gailleton

Date: Friday 23rd November
Venue: Stade de France
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Andrea Piardi (FIR),  Morné Ferreira (SARU)
TMO: Ian Tempest (RFU)

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