Rugby: France recalls Julien Marchand and Gaël Fickou for Springboks
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on The Namibian
France coach Fabien Galthié has recalled several experienced internationals, including Julien Marchand, Gaël Fickou and Teddy Thomas, to prepare for the match against South Africa. The returns are expected to strengthen a team hit by several injuries ahead of this Nations Championship fixture, according to announcements from the French team.
French hooker Julien Marchand, 31, returns to the squad after a thigh injury that had kept him out since early October. He played again for Toulouse on Saturday and could start against South Africa, according to The Namibian.
Coach Fabien Galthié has also recalled centre Gaël Fickou, 32, winger Teddy Thomas, 33, as well as fly-half Louis Carbonel and winger Gaël Dréan. Carbonel had not appeared on a France team sheet since 2022, while Dréan, 26, returned to competition with Toulon on Saturday after six months out following heart surgery, according to The Namibian.
Fly-half Romain Ntamack injured his shoulder during his international return against Fiji on Saturday. France were already without Matthieu Jalibert and Thomas Ramos, according to The Namibian.
For South Africa, coach Rassie Erasmus has recalled lock Eben Etzebeth, who has 147 caps, to replace fly-half Yaqeen Ahmed, who has a shoulder injury. Erasmus said the reinforcement was expected to bring experience and leadership ahead of the matches against France and Ireland, according to The Namibian. Etzebeth's recall comes after France's victory over Fiji and as South Africa targets a fifth win in Paris.
