France back to full strength for second World Cup warm-up clash against Scotland
Saturday’s clash will be the second preparatory test for the Rugby World Cup hosts after they were beaten 25-21 by the Scots at Murrayfield last weekend.
The side last Saturday was filled with fringe players making a bid for selection to the final World Cup squad of 33, and they allowed a 14-man Scotland to stage a late recovery and win the test.
Galthie kept only loose forward Paul Boudehent, who won his first cap last weekend, and second rower Cameron Woki from the team that started in Edinburgh.
The exciting halfback partnership of captain Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack is restored, with the dangerous centre pairing of Gael Fickou and Jonathan Danty also in the side.
Gabin Villiere and Damian Penaud on the wings and Thomas Ramos at full back are also expected to be key for France at next month’s World Cup, where the hosts are drawn in Pool A with Italy, Namibia, New Zealand and Uruguay.
Among the locks, Paul Willemse was hurt in training this week and Romain Taofifenua is nursing a thigh injury, so Woki pairs with Thibaud Flament.
In the front row, Dorian Aldegheri is preferred to Uini Atonio, who will start on the bench.
There are six forwards among the replacements and the two backs include the 20-year-old Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who made an eye-catching debut last week.
France team:
15. Thomas Ramos, 14. Damian Penaud, 13. Gael Fickou, 12. Jonathan Danty, 11. Gabin Villiere, 10. Romain Ntamack, 9. Antoine Dupont (capt.); 8. Gregory Alldritt, 7. Charles Ollivon, 6. Paul Boudehent, 5. Thibaud Flament, 4. Cameron Woki, 3. Dorian Aldegheri, 2. Julien Marchand, 1. Cyril Baille.
Replacements: 16. Pierre Bourgarit, 17. Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18. Uini Atonio, 19. Florian Verhaeghe, 20. Bastien Chalureau, 21. Sekou Macalou, 22. Maxime Lucu, 23. Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
Ritchie back to captain Scotland
Scotland have made six changes to their side for the re-match on Saturday, including a return for flanker Jamie Ritchie, who will lead the side in Saint Etienne.
Ritchie makes up a back row of the scrum that also includes Rory Darge and number eight Jack Dempsey, while Richie Gray and Grant Gilchrist are the lock pairing.
George Turner has been selected at hooker and will pack down with a pair of South African-born props either side of him in Pierre Schoeman and WP Nel.
Finn Russell will look to control the game from flyhalf, with Ali Price preferred at scrumhalf and a midfield containing Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones. They start together for the seventh time in 2023.
Blair Kinghorn is at fullback, with another pair of South African-born players on each wing in the form Duhan van der Merwe and Kyle Steyn.
Coach Gregor Townsend has chosen a 6-2 split on the bench, with scrumhalf George Horne and the versatile Ollie Smith the two options among the backs.
Scotland team:
15. Blair Kinghorn, 14. Kyle Steyn, 13. Huw Jones, 12. Sione Tuipulotu, 11. Duhan van der Merwe, 10. Finn Russell, 9. Ali Price; 8. Jack Dempsey, 7. Rory Darge, 6. Jamie Ritchie (captain), 5. Grant Gilchrist, 4. Richie Gray, 3. WP Nel, 2. George Turner, 1. Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16. Stuart McInally, 17. Rory Sutherland, 18. Javan Sebastian, 19. Scott Cummings, 20. Sam Skinner, 21. Josh Bayliss, 22. George Horne, 23. Ollie Smith.