TOKYO, 19 Sep - Romain Ntamack will make history when he lines up at fly-half for France against Argentina in Tokyo on Saturday.
The 20-year-old only made his senior international debut in February this year but coach Jacques Brunel has entrusted him with the responsibility of leading the team from outside-half in the crucial Pool C clash.
It will be a proud day for the Ntamack family. Romain’s father, Emile, played for Les Bleus at the Rugby World Cups in 1995 and 1999, and this weekend they will become the first father-son combination to represent France on the game’s greatest global stage.
At the other end of the scale in terms of experience, Guilhem Guirado and Louis Picamoles are both set to appear in a third World Cup.
Guirado is the only French starter who also started in the 62-13 defeat by New Zealand in the quarter-finals at RWC 2015. Replacements Louis Picamoles and Bernard Le Roux were also in the starting XV on that day.
Maxime Medard, meanwhile, will be playing in his second World Cup having featured in all seven matches at RWC 2011, including the final against New Zealand, but missing out on selection in 2015.
Lock Paul Gabrillagues is suspended for the opening match, but will be available for the second game against the USA on Wednesday, 2 October.
FRANCE
- Jefferson Poirot
- Guilhem Guirado (capt.)
- Rabah Slimani
- Arthur Iturria
- Sebastien Vahaamahina
- Wenceslas Lauret
- Charles Ollivon
- Gregory Alldritt
- Antoine Dupont
- Romain Ntamack
- Yoann Huget
- Virimi Vakatawa
- Gael Fickou
- Damian Penaud
- Maxime Medard
- Camille Chat
- Cyril Baille
- Demba Bamba
- Bernard Le Roux
- Louis Picamoles
- Maxime Machenaud
- Camille Lopez
- Thomas Ramos
RNS bdj/icr/sw