Jacques Brunel has kept the Toulouse halfback combination of Romain Ntamack and Antoine Dupont together for the France Rugby World Cup opening game against Argentina.
The half-back pair combined to effect in the 47-19 warm-up win over Italy. Camile Lopez is on the bench, having started in the pre-tournament loss to Scotland.
Romain Ntamack will do like his father Emile in 1995 and start in Les Bleus first Rugby World Cup game. The Ntamacks will on Saturday become the first father-son combination to play in France Rugby at the World Cup.
Romain will be hoping to go one better than his father in 199 who started in the final loss to Australia.
🇫🇷🇦🇷 Samedi, les Bleus entament leur Coupe du Monde contre l'Argentine au Tokyo Stadium ! Voici la composition de notre équipe ! 👊🏻 #NeFaisonsXV #FRAvsARG #XVdeFrance #RWC2019 pic.twitter.com/xf95kK0dWj
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) September 19, 2019
Wesley Fofana misses out altogether as Vakatawa combines with Fickou in midfield. Huget, Medard, and Penaud, who got both tries against the Scots make up the back three.
History
This France rugby team will be hoping to avoid a repeat of the 2007 opening game a 17-12 loss in Saint Denis. Argentina were the opponents that day too. Maxi Medard was in the squad at that home World Cup but didn't make the field for the opener.
Guirado skippers the side from Hooker alongside Rabah Slimani and Jefferson Poirot in his first Rugby World Cup.
Saturday will be crucial for both sides as Pool C is the unofficial pool of death. England are also in this group making it the most competitive.
England will play Argentina on Friday October 4th in Shizouka while France will meet Eddie Jones's side in Kamaishi the following Sunday.
France's team to face Argentina
- Jefferson Poirot
- Guilhem Guirado (capt.)
- Rabah Slimani
- Arthur Iturria
- Sebastien Vahaamahina
- Wenceslas Lauret
- Charles Ollivon
- Gregory Alldritt
- Antoine Dupont
- Romain Ntamack
- Yoann Huget
- Virimi Vakatawa
- Gael Fickou
- Damian Penaud
- Maxime Medard
- Camille Chat
- Cyril Baille
- Demba Bamba
- Bernard Le Roux
- Louis Picamoles
- Maxime Machenaud
- Camille Lopez
- Thomas Ramos
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