XV de France Reinforces Lineup with Fickou, Flament, and Meafou for Australia Clash

As the XV de France prepares for the final Autumn Tour match against Australia, key players Gaël Fickou, Thibaud Flament, and Emmanuel Meafou are set to return to the starting lineup. This was revealed during a high-intensity training session at Marcoussis on Tuesday, signaling head coach Fabien Galthié's intent to revert to a lineup resembling the initial match of the series after several rotations in prior games.

The front row will see Régis Montagne and Julien Marchand starting for the third consecutive time, supported by Jean-Baptiste Gros making his second start in place of the injured Baptiste Erdocio. The second row will be strengthened with the returning Flament and Meafou who are coming back from injury and illness respectively. In the back row, Grégory Alldritt will start alongside Charles Ollivon, transitioning to a different position after a strong performance in the second row, and Anthony Jelonch.

The half-back positions remain unchanged with Romain Ntamack and Maxime Lucu, while the wings are occupied by Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Bierrey. Nicolas Depoortere will partner with Fickou in the center, stepping in after Pierre-Louis Barassi was sidelined due to a concussion. Thomas Ramos continues at fullback.

Galthié is expected to confirm this probable XV on Thursday, but the lineup announced includes Ramos, Bielle-Bierrey, Depoortere, Fickou, Penaud, Ntamack, Lucu, Alldritt, Ollivon, Jelonch, Meafou, Flament, Montagne, Marchand, and Gros with a strong bench roster ready to back them.

This return of pivotal players highlights France's strategic focus on experience and resilience as they face Australia in a critical test of their squad depth and stability during the Autumn Tour 2025.