France Name Squad for England Clash with Five Changes and Debut for Matiu
Paris – In a significant shakeup ahead of Saturday’s crucial Six Nations encounter with England at the Stade de France, France head coach Fabien Galthié has announced a team featuring five changes to the starting lineup. The most notable alteration sees Bordeaux-Bègles flanker Temo Matiu poised to develop his international debut, stepping in for the injured Anthony Jelonch.
The changes come in the wake of a disappointing 50-40 defeat to Scotland in Edinburgh last week, a result that has left France’s Six Nations title hopes hanging in the balance. This Saturday’s match, kicking off at 21:10 local time (9:10 PM GMT), is now a must-win for Les Bleus, though their fate may also depend on the outcome of the Scotland versus Ireland match earlier in the day. The stakes are high as France aims to secure another Six Nations Championship title.
Matiu Earns First Cap Amid Back Row Reshuffle
Matiu’s inclusion is a direct result of Jelonch’s late withdrawal due to a hamstring issue. The 20-year-old, son of former French international Legi Matiu, will pack down alongside François Cros and Charles Ollivon in the back row. Ollivon shifts to number eight, replacing Jelonch, while Oscar Jegou, who was suspended for four weeks following a citing for contact to the eye during the Scotland game, makes way for Matiu. The suspension of Jegou and the injury to Jelonch have forced Galthié’s hand in reshaping his back row.
Galthié has also opted for a change in the second row, bringing in the Toulouse duo of Emmanuel Meafou and Thibaud Flament. This pairing is expected to provide added physicality and power to the French pack. The front row of Aldegheri, Marchand and Gros remains unchanged, providing a stable platform for the team. The experienced half-back partnership of Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack (listed as Jalibert in some reports) also remains intact, offering continuity and creativity in attack.
Changes in the Backline
Further back, Pierre-Louis Barassi comes into the starting lineup at center, replacing the injured Nicolas Depoortere. Barassi, who was on the bench in Scotland, will partner with Yoram Moefana in the midfield. On the wings, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Théo Attissogbe will provide pace and attacking threat, while Thomas Ramos retains his position at fullback.
The bench reflects a forward-heavy approach, with six forwards and just two backs named as replacements. Mickaël Guillard, who started at lock in Edinburgh, is among the replacements, alongside Emilien Gailleton. This suggests Galthié is prioritizing forward dominance and the ability to close out the game with a powerful pack.
Squad Details and What’s at Stake
The confirmed starting XV for France is as follows: Ramos – Attissogbe, Barassi, Moefana, Bielle-Biarrey – (o) Jalibert, (m) Dupont (cap.) – Matiu, Ollivon, Cros – Meafou, Flament – Aldegheri, Marchand, Gros.
The replacements are: Mauvaka, Neti, Bamba, Auradou, Guillard, Brennan, Serin, Gailleton.
France’s path to the Six Nations title is now complex. They need to defeat England and hope for a favorable result from the Scotland-Ireland match. A bonus-point win for France coupled with an Irish victory would notice them lift the trophy. However, any other outcome could see either Ireland or Scotland crowned champions. The pressure is firmly on Galthié’s side to deliver a performance that secures their title aspirations.
This match against England, a historic rivalry known as “Le Crunch,” is always a fiercely contested affair. The addition of a debutant in Matiu adds an element of intrigue, and the changes in the pack suggest a desire to assert dominance up front. The French team will be looking to bounce back from their defeat in Scotland and finish the Six Nations on a high note.
Fans can follow the match live from the Stade de France on Saturday at 21:10 local time (9:10 PM GMT). Official updates and further information can be found on the Six Nations website.
