Rugby World Cup hosts France welcome Fiji to Nantes of their penultimate warm-up fixture earlier than the beginning of the match.
The dwelling aspect proceed to construct their robust foundations forward of the World Cup, of which they’re one of many favourites, with one other alternative to impress in entrance of a house crowd earlier than their curtain-raiser towards New Zealand within the capital on eighth September.
For Fiji, their unbeaten run within the warm-up fixtures to this point will probably be examined in entrance of a hostile crowd earlier than they tackle Wales, Australia, Georgia, and Portugal of their Pool C fixtures, beginning on tenth September.
Here’s every thing it’s good to know forward of the fixture.
When is France vs Fiji?
The match between France and Fiji kicks off at 20:05 (BST) on Saturday nineteenth August at Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes.
How can I watch it?
The Summer Nations Series fixture will probably be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video, with protection beginning at 19:55 BST.
Team information
Simon Raiwalui’s Fiji go into the sport after successful their prior World Cup warm-up fixtures towards Tonga, Samoa and Japan. Winger Vinaya Habosi returns to the workforce for the primary time in 2023.
Centre Semi Radradra captains the aspect, and is not at all unfamiliar to plenty of Les Bleus gamers, following his time enjoying within the Top 14 for Toulon and Bordeaux-Begles previous to becoming a member of English membership Bristol Bears in 2020. After leaving the West Country membership on the finish of the 2022/23 season, he’ll return to France, this time to play for Lyon. He’s joined within the centres by Iosefo Masi.
Further members of the Fiji workforce ply their commerce in France, together with Sireli Maqala (Bayonne) who begins at full again, Racing 92 wingers Josua Tuisova and Habosi who will occupy the correct and left wings respectively. In the scrum, Levani Botia (La Rochelle) who is known as as blindside flanker is the one beginning ahead to play in France. He’ll be joined by Meli Derenalagi on the openside, and by Viliame Mata at No 8.
The backs are accomplished by Frank Lomani at scrum half and Caleb Muntz at fly half. The entrance three is Eroni Mawi, Tevita Ikanivere, and Mesake Doge. The beginning locks are Isoa Nasilasila and Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta. On the bench, additional French membership illustration comes within the type of prop Luke Tagi who performs for Bayonne, and Jiuta Wainiqolo who performs for Toulon.
It’s all change for France as solely two starters from final week’s victorious match towards Scotland stay within the workforce to face Fiji. La Rochelle captain Gregory Alldritt returns at No 8 and captains the worldwide aspect for the primary time within the absence of Antoine Dupont, whereas Jonathan Danty continues at centre.
Following Romain Ntamack’s ACL damage which he sustained in final week’s sport and which is able to see him miss out on the World Cup, Antoine Hastoy takes the No 10 shirt. He’s joined by Maxime Lucu at scrum half, Yoram Moefana and Louis Bielle-Biarrey on the wings. Danty will hyperlink up with Arthur Vincent within the centre, whereas full again Melvyn Jaminet completes the back-line.
The entrance three is made up of Reda Wardi, Peato Mauvaka, and Uini Atonio as Cyril Baille is sidelined with a calf difficulty. Florian Verhaeghe, Paul Willemse, Francois Cros, and Dylan Cretin add additional power to the pack.
Line-ups
France XV: Melvyn Jaminet; Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Arthur Vincent, Jonathan Danty, Yoram Moefana; Antoine Hastoy, Maxime Lucu; Reda Wardi, Peato Mauvaka, Uini Atonio, Florian Verhaeghe, Paul Willemse, Francois Cros, Dylan Cretin, Gregory Alldritt (capt.)
Replacements: Pierre Bourgarit, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Thomas Laclayat, Bastien Chalureau, Thibaud Flament, Sekou Macalou, Baptiste Serin, Matthieu Jalibert
Fiji XV: Sireli Maqala, Josua Tuisova, Iosefo Masi, Semi Radradra (capt.), Vinaya Habosi, Caleb Muntz, Frank Lomani; Eroni Mawi, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila, Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, Meli Derenalagi, Levani Botia, Viliame Mata.
Replacements: Sam Matavesi, Peni Ravai, Luke Tagi, Temo Mayanavanua, Albert Tuisue, Simione Kuruvoli, Jiuta Wainiqolo, Ilaisa Droasese
Odds
France 1/9
Draw 28/1
Fiji 6/1
Prediction
France by 15 factors