- Anthony Jelonch returns as captain for France after recovering from a knee injury.
- Twelve changes have been made to the French squad that previously defeated New Zealand.
- No French players who played at Stade Pierre-Mauroy in 2018 remain.
- Antoine Hastoy gets his third start, aiming for his first points for Les Bleus.
- Thomas Ramos scored consistently, averaging 17 points per game in 2023.
After recovering from a significant knee injury, Jelonch will lead France in their Rugby World Cup match against Uruguay.
France’s head coach, Fabien Galthié, announced his match-day squad of 23 players against Uruguay at Stade de Pierre-Mauroy, Lille on Thursday, 14th September. The notable return is of Anthony Jelonch, who will captain the side after a long hiatus due to a knee injury.
Welcome back, Anthony Jelonch
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) September 12, 2023
Making his first appearance since suffering a serious knee injury in February, the France backrower will captain his country against Uruguay on Thursday night#RWC2023 | #FRAvURU pic.twitter.com/dVsSOGrEMm
Jelonch’s Comeback:
Jelonch, who hasn’t played since February due to a ruptured ACL, expressed his pride at returning as captain for such a crucial World Cup match. “I’ll be doing everything I can to lead my teammates to victory,” he stated.
Major Changes in the Starting XV:
From the squad that triumphed over New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup 2023’s inaugural match, Galthié has made 12 adjustments. Only Cameron Woki, Gabin Villiere, and Yoram Moefana have retained their positions.
Statements from the Coach:
Reflecting on Jelonch’s importance, Galthié mentioned, “He represents the group perfectly. We’ve lived through difficult times… But the group always stood together.”
200 jours après sa blessure, pari réussi pour Anthony Jelonch 💪 #RWC2023 I #FRAvURU pic.twitter.com/ITsNwQLfNN
— RugbyPass FR 🇫🇷 (@RugbyPass_FR) September 13, 2023
Galthié also highlighted the strength and spirit of the Uruguayan team, recalling their impressive performance in the 2019 World Cup.
Lineup Details:
Starting XV includes names like Melvyn Jaminet, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, and Arthur Vincent. The bench will see players such as Peato Mauvaka, Reda Wardi, and Thomas Ramos ready to make an impact.