France coach Fabien Galthié has named a six-two split between forwards and backs on the bench for Saturday’s clash with the Springboks in Paris.
The decision mirrors the world champions’ famous Bomb Squad tactic and highlights Les Bleus’ intent to meet the Boks’ physicality head-on in what promises to be a bruising encounter at the Stade de France.
Galthié confirmed that Baptiste Erdocio will start at loosehead prop and Mickaël Guillard at No 8.
Gaël Fickou captains the team in the absence of injured scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, with Nolann Le Garrec wearing the No 9 jersey and Maxime Lucu among the replacements.
FRANCE NO 9: Boks stole our World Cup
The six-two bench split sees regular captain Grégory Alldritt miss out entirely from the match 23.
FRANCE – 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Gaël Fickou (c), 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Nolann Le Garrec, 8 Mickaël Guillard, 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Régis Montagne, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Baptiste Erdocio.
Bench: 16 Guillaume Cramont, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifénua, 20 Hugo Auradou, 21 Oscar Jegou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Nicolas Depoortere.
Might have a few wrong,but whoever France pick in the 23 it will be a Massive Team and Clash !! pic.twitter.com/fdVQuiEHiY
— Johan Erasmus (@RassieRugby) November 6, 2025
Photo: Warren Little/Getty Images
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