France v Italy, Sunday, Stade de France, 3pm - Live on RTÉ 2, UTV
France head coach Fabien Galthie has tested positive for Covid-19 and will not attend Sunday's Six Nations clash against Italy in Paris.
Les Bleus’ general manager and former captain Raphael Ibanez will head up the coaching team at Stade de France, with Galthie working remotely.
“This morning I tested positive for Covid-19. I am fine with mild symptoms,” Galthie tweeted.
“As a result, I am self-isolating and will act remotely this week.
“Raphael Ibanez and all of my staff, in whom I have full confidence, will be my relay on the pitch.”
The French Rugby Federation said that tests carried out on the entire playing squad, coaching and management team on Friday produced no further positive results.
“Fabien Galthie, who has only mild symptoms, continues to assume all of his prerogatives from a distance during this period,” the federation said.
“He will rely on the presence of Raphael Ibanez with the France group, as well as on all the staff, and will continue to intervene remotely.
“In accordance with Six Nations protocol, additional tests are scheduled for tomorrow, Saturday, February 5th, on the eve of the match.
Debutants
“These will be the last tests before the first match of the Six Nations tournament scheduled for Sunday, February 6th, at 4pm at the Stade de France.”
World player of the year Antoine Dupont, who was among a number of France squad members to test positive for coronavirus last month, will captain Les Bleus in their Six Nations opener.
Toulouse scrumhalf Dupont replaces an injured Charles Ollivon as skipper, while there is a start in the secondrow for Bordeaux-Begles’ Cameron Woki alongside Paul Willemse.
Italy head coach Kieran Crowley has named debutants Tommaso Menoncello and Toa Halafihi in a youthful Azzurri side.
Benetton wing Menoncello (19) makes the step up from Italy’s Under-20 side, while his 28-year-old clubmate, New Zealand-born number eight Halafihi, recently qualified for selection under residency rules.
There are two more debutants on the bench, flanker Manuel Zuliani and outhalf Leonardo Marin, in a 6-2 split of forwards to backs.
“The work we have done in recent weeks in preparation for the Six Nations was intense and high quality,” Crowley said. “There is a lot of energy in the group. The focus is on our performance: it will be important to stay calm in the key moments.”
FRANCE: M Jaminet; D Penaud, G Fickou, J Danty, G Villiere; R Ntamack, A Dupont (capt); C Baille, J Marchand, U Atonio; C Woki, P Willemse; A Jelonch, D Cretin, G Alldritt.
Replacements: P Mauvaka, J-B Gros, D Bamba, R Taofifenua, F Cros, M Lucu, Y Moefana, T Ramos.
ITALY: E Padovani; T Menoncello, J Ignacio Brex, M Zanon, M Ioane; P Garbisi, S Varney; D Fischetti, G Lucchesi, T Pasquali; N Cannone, F Ruzza; S Negri, M Lamaro, T Halafihi.
Replacements: E Faiva, I Nemer, G Zilocchi, M Fuser, G Pettinelli, M Zuliani, C Braley, L Marin.
