The France team to take on world champions South Africa on Saturday evening is taking shape. Present at Marcoussis on Tuesday, our colleagues at Rugbyrama, Le Figaro and L’Equipe report that a “surprise” front row will be fielded.

Montpellier’s Baptiste Erdocio, selected last summer in New Zealand, is expected to start at loosehead. On the tighthead side, Clermont’s Régis Montagne, in form since the start of the season, is the favourite. They will pack down either side of Toulouse’s Julien Marchand.

Questions on the bench

No surprise, on the other hand, in the second row with an all-Toulouse pairing of Flament and Meafou. In the back row, Fabien Galthié and his staff are going heavy with Paul Boudehent, Anthony Jelonch and Mickaël Guillard. The latter, excellent in every one of his caps, therefore takes the place of the experienced Grégory Alldritt.

At half-back, and even though Antoine Dupont was training (gently) with his team-mates under the Marcoussis sun, it is indeed La Rochelle’s Nolann Le Garrec who will start. A certain logic to that, since Maxime Lucu, who is expected to be on the bench, only came back last weekend. Le Garrec will be paired with Romain Ntamack.

Behind, no surprises are on the cards. Centre Gaël Fickou, alongside Pierre-Louis Barassi, will be captain. On the wings, Bordeaux speedsters Bielle-Biarrey and Penaud will start, as will Thomas Ramos at full-back. The only questions concern the bench. Fabien Galthié will name his team on Thursday at 11am.