'In-form leader' Fickou starts for France against New Zealand / Photo: Bertrand GUAY - AFP/File
-
Biden administration touts record drop in overdose deaths
-
'Proud' new World Rugby chief Robinson vows to unify the sport
-
Fed Chair calls US the best-performing major economy in the world
-
England boss fears new directive risks rugby turning into Aussie rules
-
Brother of late Harrods owner also accused of sexual violence: BBC
-
England captain Kane axed for Greece clash after blast at absentee stars
-
French Senate rejects bill to ban under-16s from attending bullfights
-
Borthwick adamant England focus still sharp as Springboks await
-
New York to revive driver congestion charge plan, drawing Trump ire
-
Martin calls on rival Bagnaia for advice ahead of MotoGP title showdown
-
Philadelphia completes lineup for Johnson's Grand Slam meets
-
'Harness the now': British singer Imogen Heap embraces AI
-
UN committee says Israel warfare in Gaza 'consistent with genocide'
-
Italy wing Capuozzo to miss Georgia game with concussion
-
Son hits 50th South Korea goal in World Cup win, Australia-Saudi stalemate
-
Japan into BJK Cup quarter-finals for first time in 11 years
-
MLB Rays to play 2025 season at Yankees facility in Tampa
-
China's Xi arrives in Peru for APEC summit, Biden meeting
-
British author says space inspired Booker Prize-winning novel
-
Spain's Vanguardia daily to stop posting on 'disinformation network' X
-
European watchdog partially approves new Alzheimer's drug
-
Monitor says militants among 20 killed in Israel strikes on Syria
-
New York to revive driver congestion charge plan
-
Brazil probes Supreme Court bomb blasts as 'terrorist act'
-
Sotheby's to pay $6.25 mln in tax fraud case
-
McIlroy shares Dubai lead with Ballesteros mark in sight
-
Lebanon army redeployment in south crucial to war solution: UN peacekeeping chief
-
US stocks wobble as traders weigh future Fed cuts
-
Trump fills out cabinet as divisive picks shock Washington
-
Son hits 50th South Korea goal in win, Australia-Saudi stalemate
-
BHP, Vale cleared by Brazil court over 2015 dam disaster
-
Satirical US outlet The Onion buys conspiracy site Infowars
-
Scotland must emulate Croatia's 'conveyor belt of talent': Clarke
-
Legal migration to OECD reaches new record in 2023
-
Robinson edges Benazzi to succeed Beaumont as head of World Rugby
-
India's capital shuts all primary schools due to smog
-
Central bank independence 'fundamental' for good policy: Fed official
-
Fritz beats De Minaur to eye ATP Finals last four, Sinner through
-
Doris expecting a 'proper test' against Argentina
-
Russia's exiled opposition hopes for rebirth with Berlin rally
-
EU fines Meta $840 million for 'abusive' Facebook ad practices
-
Springboks boss Erasmus expects England to 'play for Borthwick'
-
Before Leicester, Ranieri's brush with glory with his beloved Roma
-
Stock markets rise as traders weigh future Fed cuts
-
Australian Robinson edges Benazzi to head World Rugby
-
US director Haynes to lead Berlinale 2025 jury
-
Iran tells UN nuclear chief willing to resolve 'ambiguities'
-
Coach owner Tapestry calls off Capri bid on regulatory blocks
-
UK government announces ban on new coal mines
-
US ski star Lindsey Vonn, 40, to attempt competitive return
NYSE - LSE
| RIO | -0.41% | 60.375 | $ | |
| CMSC | -0.08% | 24.591 | $ | |
| SCS | -1.02% | 13.235 | $ | |
| BTI | 0.16% | 35.475 | $ | |
| CMSD | 0% | 24.73 | $ | |
| RBGPF | -1.59% | 59.25 | $ | |
| BCC | -1.95% | 139.83 | $ | |
| NGG | 0.61% | 62.5 | $ | |
| BCE | -1.3% | 26.86 | $ | |
| RYCEF | -4.25% | 6.82 | $ | |
| GSK | -0.64% | 34.885 | $ | |
| JRI | -0.51% | 13.173 | $ | |
| RELX | -0.16% | 46.045 | $ | |
| AZN | 0.13% | 65.375 | $ | |
| BP | 1.52% | 29.01 | $ | |
| VOD | -0.52% | 8.705 | $ |
'In-form leader' Fickou starts for France against New Zealand
France head coach Fabien Galthie said on Thursday Gael Fickou was "a leader" as the experienced centre was named among four changes for this weekend's November international with New Zealand.
He is joined in the starting lineup for Saturday's game in Paris by full-back Romain Buros on his debut, winger Gabin Villiere and flanker Paul Boudehent.
Fickou, 30, combines with Yoram Moefana after replacing Emilien Gailleton, who is among the replacements, having been used off the bench himself in last weekend's November campaign-opening win over Japan.
"He's a leader. There are no caps given away for free as presents," Galthie told reporters.
"After three weeks of preparation, he's in form. It allows us to be able to name a very balanced pair of centres," he added.
Test novice Buros is in for the dropped Leo Barre, Villiere comes in for Theo Attissogbe who has a knee issue and Boudehent takes the place of the injured Francois Cros.
The 27-year-old Buros has been a consistent performer for Bordeaux-Begles since joining them in 2018 and has scored four tries in eight games this season.
"He has confidence and certitude in his game, that he shows with his club and has done sone with us for three weeks of training," Galthie said.
"We felt it was the right moment to change," he added.
Antoine Dupont captains Les Bleus in his second match since returning to the national 15-a-side team after his Olympic gold medal heroics in the sevens format.
Matthieu Jalibert drops out of the matchday squad altogether having been a replacement in the victory over Japan.
Jalibert, 26, had been Les Bleus' first-choice fly-half at last year's World Cup in place of the injured Romain Ntamack.
Thomas Ramos, who usually plays full-back, keeps the number 10 shirt with Ntamack again unavailable through injury and Jalibert is not even considered as a travelling reserve for the game at the Stade de France.
"We've taken the time to talk with Matthieu," Galthie said.
"He's always given the French national team his talent and has always tried his best.
"The competition (for places) in this team is important, our project is a collective one," he added.
France last tasted defeat to the All Blacks in 2018.
France (15-1)
Romain Buros; Gabin Villiere, Gael Fickou, Yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Thomas Ramos, Antoine Dupont (capt); Gregory Alldritt, Alexandre Roumat, Paul Boudehent; Emmanuel Meafou, Thibaud Flament: Tevita Tatafu, Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros
Replacements: Julien Marchand, Reda Wardi, Georges-Henri Colombe, Romain Taofifenua, Mickael Guillard, Charles Ollivon, Nolann Le Garrec, Emilien Gailleton
Coach: Fabien Galthie (FRA)
J.Oliveira--AMWN