France welcome Fiji to Nantes for their third Summer Nations Series fixture following back-to-back encounters with Scotland.
Fabien Galthié named a youthful side for the first match at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, with the hosts narrowly edging the encounter 25-21.
Les Bleues recalled the cavalry for the reverse fixture in Saint-Étienne last week, with the likes of Antoine Dupont and Damian Penaud returning to the starting XV for a 30-27 victory.
An entertaining evening was soured by an injury to Romain Ntamack, with the fly-half ruled out of the upcoming Rugby World Cup after rupturing his ACL.
It means Antoine Hastoy is charged with playmaking duties amongst a France side that sees plenty of changes.
France Team News
Injury to Ntamack has thrust Hastoy into the spotlight ahead of this autumn’s Rugby World Cup, with the 26-year-old one of 13 changes made to the side that beat Scotland last weekend.
Jonathan Danty is the only name to survive in the backs, with Hastoy joined by Maxime Lucu in the half-backs, while Arthur Vincent teams up with Danty at centre. Melvyn Jaminet leads a youthful back three alongside Yoram Moefana and Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
Hastoy is no stranger to the big stage, having played the full 80 minutes as La Rochelle claimed Heineken Champions Cup victory in Dublin this summer but Saturday’s match will be just his fourth cap for Les Bleues.
He will take plenty of comfort from plenty of familiar faces lining up alongside him, however, with La Rochelle pair Uini Antonio and Reda Wardi packing down either side of Peato Mauvaka.
Montpellier duo Florian Verhaeghe and Paul Willemse complete the second row, while captain Grégory Alldritt leads the back row from No.8, with Francois Cros and Dylan Cretin either side.
France starting XV to face Fiji:
15 Melvyn Jaminet, 14 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 13 Arthur Vincent, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Moefana, 10 Antoine Hastoy, 9 Maxime Lucu; 1 Reda Wardi, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 3 Uini Antonio, 4 Florian Verhaeghe, 5 Paul Willemse, 6 Francois Cros, 7 Dylan Cretin, 8 Grégory Alldritt
Replacements:
16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Thomas Laclayat, 19 Bastien Chalureau, 20 Thibaud Flament, 21 Sekou Macalou, 22 Baptiste Serin, 23 Matthieu Jalibert
Fiji Team News
Fiji head coach Simon Raiwalui has been handed a big boost ahead of the World Cup, with winger Vinaya Habosi set to start against France in the Summer Nations Series.
Habosi suffered an injury playing for French club Racing 92 and is yet to feature on the international stage this year.
Centre Semi Radradra will captain the star-studded side, with Sireli Maqala starting at full-back and winger Josua Tuisova completing the back three.
Radradra will be joined in the centres by Iosefo Masi, while Frank Lomani and Caleb Muntz will partner up at nine and ten.
In the pack, Eroni Mawi, Tevita Ikanivere and Mesake Doge make up the front row, while Isoa Nasilasila and Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta start in the engine room.
The back row sees Viliame Mata selected at No.8, with Levani Botia set to start at seven and Meli Derenalagi named at six.
Fiji starting XV face France:
15. Sireli Maqala, 14. Josua Tuisova, 13. Iosefo Masi, 12. Semi Radradra (capt), 11. Vinaya Habosi, 10. Caleb Muntz, 9. Frank Lomani; 1. Eroni Mawi, 2. Tevita Ikanivere, 3. Mesake Doge, 4. Isoa Nasilasila, 5. Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 6. Meli Derenalagi, 7. Levani Botia, 8. Viliame Mata
Replacements:
17. Sam Matavesi, 18. Peni Ravai, 19. Luke Tagi, 20. Temo Mayanavanua, 21. Albert Tuisue, 22. Simione Kuruvoli, 23. Jiuta Wainiqolo, 24. Ilaisa Droasese
