France opt for Le Garrec as Dupont replacement for Springbok Test
La Rochelle scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec will start at scrum-half for France against South Africa in the Autumn Nations Series this weekend with Antoine Dupont injured, head coach Fabien Galthie announced on Thursday.
Le Garrec will make his 14th Test appearance on Saturday in Paris with superstar Dupont out since March with a serious knee issue.
The 23-year-old will start a game alongside Toulouse's Romain Ntamack at half-back for the first time.
Galthie has kept just nine names from the matchday squad from the last time the sides met, when the Springboks won the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final on the way to their fourth Webb Ellis trophy.
Racing 92 centre Gael Fickou, who captained France on the summer tour of New Zealand, continues with the armband in the absence of Dupont.
Fickou, who will win his 97th cap, is partnered in midfield by Toulouse's Pierre-Louis Barassi with Bordeaux-Begles' Yoram Moefana suffering from a shoulder issue.
La Rochelle No 8 Gregory Alldritt, who led the side to March's Six Nations crown, is out of the matchday squad with Lyon's Mickael Guillard preferred in the back-row.
Props Baptiste Erdocio and Regis Montagne are in line for just their third Test appearances with tightheads Uini Atonio and Tevita Tatafu injured, and loosehead Cyril Baille still making his way back to fitness.
The French Top 14's leading try scorer this season, Louis Bielle-Biarrey starts on the wing with his Bordeaux-Begles team-mate Damian Penaud on the other flank.
Toulouse hooker Guillaume Cramont is set for his international debut from the bench having impressed this season for the Top 14 league leaders.
France (15-1)
Thomas Ramos; Damian Penaud, Pierre-Louis Barassi, Gael Fickou (capt), Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Romain Ntamack, Nolann Le Garrec; Mickael Guillard, Anthony Jelonch, Paul Boudehent; Emmanuel Meafou, Thibaud Flament; Regis Montagne, Julien Marchand, Baptiste Erdocio
Replacements: Guillaume Cramont, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Dorian Aldegheri, Hugo Auradou, Romain Taofifenua, Oscar Jegou, Maxime Lucu, Nicolas Depoortere
Coach: Fabien Galthie (FRA)
