In a twist of fate for the French rugby squad, injuries in the Top 14 have compelled head coach Fabien Galthie to shuffle his lineup ahead of a high-stakes November showdown. The 2025 Six Nations champions, a team already brimming with talent and expectations, are set to face a formidable series against Rassie Erasmus' back-to-back Rugby World Cup champion Springboks starting November 8 in Paris, with further clashes against Fiji and Australia on the horizon.
The original squad was announced by Galthie on October 24, setting the stage for a thrilling autumn series. However, the landscape shifted dramatically when Matthieu Jalibert of Bordeaux and Romain Taofifenua of Racing succumbed to injuries. Jalibert, a prime figure in France's 2023 World Cup campaign and a pivotal player in the recent Six Nations, was recently in stellar form for his club. His hopes for the international play were dashed following a thigh injury during a match against Bayonne, where he grimly noted,
"Honestly, I don’t have much hope."
Jalibert's concerns were confirmed the next day, leading to the call-up of uncapped Ugo Seunes from Racing. Despite being a fresh face in the Top 14, having transferred from Pro D2 side Aurillac, Seunes has quickly become a key player for Racing, showcased by his performance in their narrow victory over Pau.
Meanwhile, Taofifenua's exit after just 32 minutes in a recent match opened the door for Baptiste Pesenti from Stade Francais to return to the national team, having last played in July 2024.
France's updated squad reflects both the depth and the emerging talent within French rugby, setting the stage for what could be a defining series for Galthie's team. As they gear up to challenge the world champions on home soil, all eyes will be on how these new additions adapt to the high-pressure environment of international rugby.
France squad (updated)
Forwards: Benjamin Bertrand (Toulouse), Baptiste Erdocio (Montpellier), Jean-Baptiste Gros (Toulon), Guillaume Cramont (Toulouse), Julien Marchand (Toulouse), Barnabe Massa (Clermont), Dorian Aldegheri (Toulouse), Thomas Laclayat (Pau), Regis Montagne (Clermont), Emerick Setiano (Bayonne), Hugo Auradou (Pau), Thibaud Flament (Toulouse), Mickael Guillard (Lyon), Jimi Maximin (Pau), Emmanuel Meafou (Toulouse), Baptiste Pesenti (Stade Français), Gregory Alldritt (La Rochelle), Paul Boudehent (La Rochelle), Esteban Capilla (Bayonne), Alexandre Fischer (Bayonne), Oscar Jegou (La Rochelle), Anthony Jelonch (Toulouse), Pierre Bochaton (Bordeaux-Begles), Cameron Woki (Bordeaux-Begles)
Backs: Baptiste Jauneau (Clermont), Nolann Le Garrec (La Rochelle), Maxime Lucu (Bordeaux-Begles), Romain Ntam
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In a twist of fate for the French rugby squad, injuries in the Top 14 have compelled head coach Fabien Galthie to shuffle his lineup ahead of a high-stakes November showdown. The 2025 Six Nations champions, a team already brimming with talent and expectations, are set to face a formidable series against Rassie Erasmus' back-to-back Rugby World Cup champion Springboks starting November 8 in Paris, with further clashes against Fiji and Australia on the horizon.
The original squad was announced by Galthie on October 24, setting the stage for a thrilling autumn series. However, the landscape shifted dramatically when Matthieu Jalibert of Bordeaux and Romain Taofifenua of Racing succumbed to injuries. Jalibert, a prime figure in France's 2023 World Cup campaign and a pivotal player in the recent Six Nations, was recently in stellar form for his club. His hopes for the international play were dashed following a thigh injury during a match against Bayonne, where he grimly noted,
"Honestly, I don’t have much hope."
Jalibert's concerns were confirmed the next day, leading to the call-up of uncapped Ugo Seunes from Racing. Despite being a fresh face in the Top 14, having transferred from Pro D2 side Aurillac, Seunes has quickly become a key player for Racing, showcased by his performance in their narrow victory over Pau.
Meanwhile, Taofifenua's exit after just 32 minutes in a recent match opened the door for Baptiste Pesenti from Stade Francais to return to the national team, having last played in July 2024.
France's updated squad reflects both the depth and the emerging talent within French rugby, setting the stage for what could be a defining series for Galthie's team. As they gear up to challenge the world champions on home soil, all eyes will be on how these new additions adapt to the high-pressure environment of international rugby.
France squad (updated)
Forwards: Benjamin Bertrand (Toulouse), Baptiste Erdocio (Montpellier), Jean-Baptiste Gros (Toulon), Guillaume Cramont (Toulouse), Julien Marchand (Toulouse), Barnabe Massa (Clermont), Dorian Aldegheri (Toulouse), Thomas Laclayat (Pau), Regis Montagne (Clermont), Emerick Setiano (Bayonne), Hugo Auradou (Pau), Thibaud Flament (Toulouse), Mickael Guillard (Lyon), Jimi Maximin (Pau), Emmanuel Meafou (Toulouse), Baptiste Pesenti (Stade Français), Gregory Alldritt (La Rochelle), Paul Boudehent (La Rochelle), Esteban Capilla (Bayonne), Alexandre Fischer (Bayonne), Oscar Jegou (La Rochelle), Anthony Jelonch (Toulouse), Pierre Bochaton (Bordeaux-Begles), Cameron Woki (Bordeaux-Begles)
Backs: Baptiste Jauneau (Clermont), Nolann Le Garrec (La Rochelle), Maxime Lucu (Bordeaux-Begles), Romain Ntam