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France recall Marchand and Fickou to face Springboks

Published

France coach Fabien Galthie named a squad with several recalls for the Nations Championship test against South Africa. The team had beaten Fiji 54-17 in Lyon on Saturday, and several backs are injured.

Galthie also recalled winger Teddy Thomas, fly half Louis Carbonel and winger Gael Drean. Marchand, a 31-year-old hooker, returns after a thigh injury. Drean returns after a six-month lay-off following heart surgery.

Fly half Romain Ntamack was forced off with a shoulder injury in the win over Fiji. The match against the Springboks will be played at the Stade de France.

France have won once in their last 10 meetings with South Africa since 2009. South Africa won five straight times against France at the Stade de France. The Springboks also won the 2023 World Cup quarterfinal against France by one point.

Key facts

Who
Fabien Galthie (France coach); Julien Marchand (France hooker, recalled after thigh injury); Gael Fickou (France centre, recalled); Teddy Thomas (France winger, recalled)
What
Galthie named a squad with recalls including Julien Marchand, Gael Fickou, Teddy Thomas, Louis Carbonel and Gael Drean, ahead of France's autumn Nations Championship fixture against the Springboks. France had beaten Fiji 54-17 in Lyon on Saturday, and several backs are injured.
When
8 November 2026
Where
Lyon, Stade de France
Status
Team announced

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