Returning star captains France against Uruguay as Fabien Galthie makes 12 changes
France's Anthony Jelonch celebrates scoring his sides first try during the Six Nations.
France back-rower Anthony Jelonch will captain his country as he makes his return from injury against Uruguay in the Rugby World Cup Pool A encounter.
Jelonch ruptured his cruciate ligament back in February and faced a race against time to feature at the Rugby World Cup, a race he has seemingly won.
The flanker has been a regular fixture in Fabien Galthie’s team, captaining the side in Australia in 2021 and played all five of France’s Grand Slam Six Nations matches in 2022.
The 25-Test cap loose forward skippers Les Bleus against Uruguay, with Galthie making 12 changes to his starting XV.
12 changes to the starting line-up
The first alteration to the starting line-up that defeated the All Blacks 27-13 in the tournament’s opening game is at full-back, with a straight swap between Melvyn Jaminet and Thomas Ramos, as the latter is named among the replacements.
Gabin Villiere is one of only three starters to retain his position and lines up in the number 11 jersey once again, with youngster Louis Bielle-Biarrey earning his fourth Test cap on the right wing ahead of Damian Penaud.
Yoram Moefana is the only other backline player to remain in the starting XV, and he is joined by outside centre Arthur Vincent, who replaces Gael Fickou.
Antoine Dupont has been rested for the match, with Maxime Lucu starting at scrum-half, and he partners Antoine Hastoy as Matthieu Jalibert also drops out of the matchday 23.
Into the pack Jelonch is joined in the loose trio by Sekou Macalou and Paul Boudehent. Charles Ollivon and Gregory Alldritt both miss the match with Francois Cros named on the bench.
Romain Taofifenua partners Cameron Woki, who also started against the All Blacks, in the second-row with an entirely new front-row named in Jean-Baptiste Gross (loosehead prop), Pierre Bourgarit (hooker) and Dorian Aldegheri (tighthead prop).
The bench includes convicted racist Bastien Chalureau, who covers at lock with Thibuad Flament and back-rower Cros.
Peato Mauvaka and Reda Wardi both featured in the opener and are named among the front-row replacements along with Sipili Falatea.
The six-two split in favour of the forwards means that Baptiste Couilloud and Ramos provide cover in the backs.
France team to face Uruguay
France: 15 Melvyn Jaminet, 14 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 13 Arthur Vincent, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Gabin Villière, 10 Antoine Hastoy, 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Anthony Jelonch (c), 7 Sekou Macalou, 6 Paul Boudehent, 5 Romain Taofifenua, 4 Cameron Woki, 3 Dorian Aldegheri, 2 Pierre Bourgarit, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros
Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Sipili Falatea, 19 Bastien Chalureau, 20 Thibaud Flament, 21 Francois Cros, 22 Baptiste Couilloud, 23 Thomas Ramos
Date: Thursday, 15 September
Venue: Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille
Kick-off: 20:00 local (19:00 BST, 18:00 GMT)
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referees: Paul Williams (NZR), James Doleman (NZR)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
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