France's Galthie keeps faith with team for England Six Nations finale / Photo: Anne-Christine POUJOULAT - AFP/File
France's Galthie keeps faith with team for England Six Nations finale
France coach Fabien Galthie on Thursday announced an unchanged side to face England in a potential Six Nations decider this weekend.
Galthie kept faith with his squad from last week's 45-24 win over Wales for the home match in Lyon against Steve Borthwick's England on Saturday.
Gregory Alldritt captains the side with Leo Barre, Nicolas Depoortere, Emmanuel Meafou and Georges-Henri Colombe keeping their places after making their debuts in Cardiff.
It is the first time for Galthie to keep a same starting lineup from one match to another since last February.
He had made eight changes before the win over Wales after a drab draw with Italy previously.
Nolann Le Garrec remains at scrum-half after his player of the match performance with Maxime Lucu on bench despite scoring a try in the Millenium Stadium win.
Regular scrum-half and captain Antoine Dupont is unavailable as he prepares to play Sevens at this year's Paris Olympic Games.
England can win the Six Nations with a bonus-point victory in Lyon if table-topping Ireland lose to Scotland earlier in the day without a bonus point.
France also have a chance of lifting the title, if they beat England with a bonus point, Ireland suffer defeat without a bonus point and there is a significant points difference swing in Les Bleus' advantage.
France (15-1)
Leo Barre; Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Nicolas Depoortere, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Thomas Ramos, Nolann Le Garrec; Gregory Alldritt (capt), Charles Ollivon, Francois Cros; Emmanuel Meafou, Thibaud Flament; Uini Atonio, Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille
Replacements: Peato Mauvaka, Sebastien Taofifenua, Georges-Henri Colombe, Romain Taofifenua, Alexandre Roumat, Paul Boudehent, Maxime Lucu, Yoram Moefana
G.Lombardi--MJ
