LAST UPDATE | 8 Feb
HEAD COACH FABIEN Galthie resisted making sweeping changes to the France side for Saturday’s Six Nations match against Scotland, despite the 38-17 hammering by Ireland in Marseille in their opener last week.
Galthie has made just two changes — Cameron Woki replaces the suspended Paul Willemse in the second row — and Louis Bielle-Biarrey comes in for Yoram Moefana on the left wing.
Willemse was sent off in the first half of last Friday’s thumping, which was the second worst home defeat suffered by France in the history of the northern hemisphere’s rugby championship.
Scotland, who name their team later, got off to a winning start, beating Wales 27-26 last Saturday.
Meanwhile, Scotland co-captain Rory Darge and lock Grant Gilchrist have been recalled to the starting side named by coach Gregor Townsend for Saturday’s Six Nations international against France at Murrayfield on Saturday.
Darge, who will lead the side alongside Finn Russell, and Gilchrist return in two of threee changes to the team announced by coach Gregor Townsend on Thursday following Scotland’s dramatic 27-26 tournament-opening win over Wales in Cardiff last weekend.
Darge replaces Jamie Ritchie at openside flanker, with the former Scotland captain left out entirely of the matchday 23.
The other two changes to the starting side see Jack Dempsey and Grant Gilchrist return to the pack after back-row Luke Crosbie and lock Richie Gray suffered tournament-ending injuries in Cardiff,
In-form Saracens back-row Andy Christie is on the bench after missing out on the 23 last weekend.
France
Thomas Ramos; Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Jonathan Danty, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Matthieu Jalibert, Maxime Lucu; Gregory Alldritt (capt), Charles Ollivon, Francois Cros, Paul Gabrillagues, Cameron Woki; Uini Antonio, Peato Mauvaka, Cyril Baille
Replacements:
Julien Marchand, Sebastien Taofifenua, Dorian Aldegheri, Posolo Tuilagi, Alexandre Roumat, Paul Boudehent, Nolann Le Garrec, Yoram Moefana
Scotland
Kyle Rowe; Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe; Finn Russell (co-capt), Ben White; Jack Dempsey, Rory Darge (co-capt), Matt Fagerson; Scott Cummings, Grant Gilchrist; Zander Fagerson, George Turner, Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Alec Hepburn, Elliot Millar-Mills, Sam Skinner, Andy Christie, George Horne, Ben Healy, Cameron Redpath
