Updated at 18.06
CENTRE YORAM MOEFANA will replace the injured Jonathan Danty in France’s side for this weekend’s World Cup opener with New Zealand, head coach Fabien Galthie announced on Wednesday.
La Rochelle’s Danty, 30, suffered a hamstring injury late last month and will miss Friday’s highly-anticipated match in Paris.
Galthie said it was “an honour” for the host nation to play New Zealand in the World Cup’s opening match.
The All Blacks have lifted the World Cup trophy three times and won a 20th Rugby Championship title earlier this year.
“They do it best,” Galthie told reporters. “We’re so happy to play this team.
“For us, Friday is a party, a joy, an honour, it’s marvellous,” he added.
🇫🇷🇳🇿 𝐎𝐍 𝐘 𝐄𝐒𝐓 🔥
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) September 6, 2023
Voici votre #XVdeFrance pour le match d'ouverture de la #RWC2023 face à la Nouvelle-Zélande 🤩#UnisPourUnRêve #FRAvNZL pic.twitter.com/EhVrA2srkp
Bordeaux-Begles’ Moefana, 23, is in line to make his 15th Test start against the three-time World Cup winners.
“Yoram has three years of experience with us,” Galthie said.
“We’ve worked on a lot of combinations and we have to be able to adapt.
“During this competition, there are four group games, then potentially three knockouts. This France team will change,” he added.
There are two other changes from the warm-up win over Australia on 27 August as lock Cameron Woki comes in for the injured Paul Willemse and prop Reda Wardi starts instead of Jean-Baptise Gros.
“At tight-head, we have Reda then Jean-Baptiste to finish,” Galthie said.
“We have what we need,” he added.
Meanwhile, Anton Lienert-Brown will replace the injured Jordie Barrett at centre for New Zealand, head coach Ian Foster said on Wednesday.
Barrett, 26, missed training this week with a knee issue.
Lienert-Brown will make just his third Test start in a year on Friday in Paris against France, who have lost just once at home since March 2021.
Barrett’s brothers, two-time World Player of the Year Beauden and lock Scott, are selected.
“It is a privilege to play in the opening game of Rugby World Cup 2023,” Foster said in a statement.
“What makes it extra special is playing the host nation who are a very proud and in-form team,” he added.
Experienced lock Brodie Retallick, loose forward Shannon Frizell and prop Tyrel Lomax are also sidelined with fitness problems with winger Emoni Narawa ruled out of the whole tournament with a back issue.
Fly-half Richie Mo’unga and tight-head prop Nepo Laulala will make their 50th Test appearances.
France
- 15. Thomas Ramos
- 14. Damian Penaud
- 13. Gael Fickou
- 12. Yoram Moefana
- 11. Gabin Villiere
- 10. Matthieu Jalibert
- 9. Antoine Dupont
- 1. Reda Ward
- 2. Julien Marchand
- 3. Uini Atonio
- 4. Cameron Woki
- 5. Thibaud Flament
- 6. Francois Cros
- 7. Charles Ollivon
- 8. Gregory Alldritt
Replacements:
- 16. Peato Mauvaka
- 17. Jean-Baptiste Gros
- 18. Dorian Aldegheri
- 19. Romain Taofifienua
- 20. Paul Boudehent
- 21. Maxime Lucu
- 22. Arthur Vincent
- 23. Melvyn Jaminet
New Zealand
- 15. Beauden Barrett
- 14. Will Jordan
- 13. Rieko Ioane
- 12. Anton Lienert-Brown
- 11. Mark Telea
- 10. Richie Mo’unga
- 9. Aaron Smith;
- 1. Ethan de Groot
- 2. Codie Taylor
- 3. Nepo Laulala
- 4. Samuel Whitelock
- 5. Scott Barrett
- 6. Dalton Papali’i
- 7. Sam Cane (capt)
- 8.Ardie Savea
Replacements:
- 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho
- 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
- 18. Fletcher Newell
- 19. Tupou Vaa’i
- 20. Luke Jacobson
- 21. Finlay Christie
- 22. David Havili
- 23. Leicester Fainga’anuku
