Maxime Lucu starts instead of injured Antoine Dupont for France’s Six Nations title decider with Scotland in Paris on Saturday.
Scrumhalf Lucu is one of two changes from last week’s trouncing of holders Ireland. Victory at the Stade de France guarantees Les Bleus the trophy for the second time in three years.
Captain Dupont has been ruled out for at least six months with a serious knee injury suffered in Dublin and was substituted by 32-year-old Lucu at the Aviva Stadium.
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The other modification by head coach Fabien Galthie on Thursday is Gael Fickou replacing Pierre-Louis Barassi in midfield to partner Yoram Moefana. Barassi suffered a head injury in the Ireland win.
No 8 Gregory Alldritt leads the team, as he did in the Irish capital after Dupont’s injury.
FRANCE – 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Gregory Alldritt (c), 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Mickael Guillard, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros.
Bench: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Hugo Auradou, 20 Emmanuel Meafou, 21 Oscar Jegou, 22 Anthony Jelonch, 23 Nolann Le Garrec.
Six Nations round 5 fixtures:
Saturday
Italy vs Ireland, Rome, 4.15pm
Wales vs England, Cardiff, 6.45pm
France vs Scotland, Paris, 10pm
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Photo: Xavier Laine/Getty Images
