France confirm their matchday squad for Italy clash

France head coach Fabien Galthie has confirmed the matchday squad for the Six Nations opening game against Italy in Rome.

Wing Gabin Villiere will make his Six Nations debut with Teddy Thomas on right wing and Brice Dulin at fullback.

With Virimi Vakatawa injured, Arthur Vincent starts at outside centre with Gael Fickou at inside centre. Matthieu Jalibert takes the fly-half position with Romain Ntamack unavailable due to injury and forms halfback partnership with Antoine Dupont.

Gregory Alldritt has recovered from a knee injury and will be part of the back-row that also has Charles Ollivon and Dylan Cretin.

South African-born duo Paul Willemse and Bernard le Roux are the designated locks while Mohamed Haouas and Cyril Baille have been chosen as props with Julien Marchand forming the rest of the front-row.

Team line-up:

France: 15 Brice Dulin, 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 Arthur Vincent, 12 Gael Fickou, 11 Gabin Villiere, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Dylan Cretin, 5 Paul Willemse, 4 Bernard le Roux, 3 Mohamed Haouas, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille

Reserves: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Anthony Jelonch, 21 Baptiste Serin, 22 Louis Carbonel, 23 Damian Penaud