XV de France Squad Changes Forced by Injuries Ahead of Autumn Tests
France head coach Fabien Galthié faces a mounting injury crisis as the French Rugby Federation announced five squad alterations to the national training group on Saturday, October 31, 2026. With twenty potential players currently sidelined, squad turnover continues to disrupt preparations for the upcoming Autumn Nations Series opener against Fiji.
The latest additions to the 42-man training squad address critical gaps left by fresh injuries. Clermont prop Régis Montagne, who holds nine international caps, comes in to replace Bayonne’s Tevita Tatafu. Toulouse scrum-half Paul Graou replaces La Rochelle’s Nolann Le Garrec, who suffered a recurrence of a hamstring injury. Montpellier second-row Florian Verhaeghe replaces Bayonne forward Alexandre Fischer, while Toulouse loosehead prop Rodrigue Neti steps in for Montpellier’s Reda Wardi. Also, uncapped Clermont centre Léon Darricarrère replaces Stade Français midfielder Jeremy Ward.
Nine Roster Modifications Since Initial Selection
Squad instability has defined Galthié’s preparations since the original 42-man roster was unveiled on October 21. The initial selection already excluded several core internationals, including Thomas Ramos, Matthieu Jalibert, Julien Marchant, Thibaud Flament, and Emmanuel Meafou. Galthié pointed to the depth of the problem by stating that twenty potentially selectable players remain unavailable due to injury.
Before Saturday’s announcement, four other call-ups had already withdrawn due to physical ailments. Bordeaux-Bègles back-row Marko Gazzotti, La Rochelle tighthead prop Karl Sorin, fly-half Antoine Hastoy, and Pau centre Fabien Brau-Boirie all dropped out of the setup. Replacements brought into earlier training sessions included Anthony Jelonch, Thomas Laclayat, Louis Le Brun, and Nicolas Depoortere.
Upcoming Autumn Fixtures in Lyon and Saint-Denis
The reshuffled French squad has little time to build cohesion before opening their Autumn Nations Series schedule. France will meet Fiji on November 7 in Lyon. Following the opening fixture, Les Bleus will face South Africa on November 13 at Saint-Denis, before concluding their campaign against Argentina at the same venue on November 21.
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