Japan and France Prepare for Exciting Rugby Clash at Stade de France
As the anticipation builds for the highly-anticipated rugby match between Japan and France, both teams have unveiled their starting line-ups, showcasing a blend of experience and youth. Japan's coach Eddie Jones announced that Toulouse scrum-half Naoto Saito will take the field alongside UBB's Tevita Tatafu, who will start on the bench. The Brave Blossoms are set to kick off with a strong lineup featuring players like Tuitama and Naikabula.
Japan's starting XV includes: - 15. Tuitama - 14. Naikabula - 13. Riley - 12. Fifita - 11. Osada - 10. Tatekawa - 9. Saito - 7. Himeno - 8. Makisi - 6. Shimokawa - 5. Dearns - 4. Uluiviti - 3. Takeuchi - 2. Harada - 1. Okabe
Substitutes feature Matsuoka, Morikawa, Tamefusa, Fakatava, Tatafu, Fujiwara, Kajimura, and Matsunaga.
On the French side, coach Fabien Galthié confirmed the return of star scrum-half Antoine Dupont, who will captain the team after a year-long absence. Dupont will be paired with his Toulouse teammate Thomas Ramos, while the young duo of Yoram Moefana and Émilien Gailleton will bolster the back line. Notably, the experienced Gaël Fickou will begin the match on the bench.
France's starting XV includes: - Barré - Penaud - Moefana - Gailleton - Bielle-Biarrey - Ramos - Dupont (cap.) - Roumat - Alldritt - Cros - Meafou - Flament - Tatafu - Mauvaka - Gros
The substitutes are Marchand, Wardi, Colombe, Guillard, Boudehent, Lucu, Jalibert, and Fickou.
