Danty set to start for France against Springboks

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epa09733203 France's Jonathan Danty (C) followed by Italy's Toa Halafihi (L) during the Six Nations round 1 rugby match between France and Italy at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, France, 06 February 2022. EPA/YOAN VALAT
  • Post published:November 10, 2022

Jonathan Danty has been named to start France’s Autumn Nations Series Test against South Africa this weekend head coach Fabien Galthie confirmed on Thursday.

The 30-year-old centre missed training with the squad to be with his partner for the birth of his newborn son.

Danty became a dad for the first time on Sunday, but he will still play against the world champions in Marseille on Saturday.

On Friday, he will go back to the set-up in time for the last light session at the Stade Velodrome.

“He made the decision to join us for the team run tomorrow and play in the event which is a match against the world champions,” Galthie said.

“For the gameplan and training, we sent him the documents.

“As you know, we keep things simple for big games,” he added.

Reda Wardi and Bastien Chalureau replace Dany Priso and Killian Geraci on the bench in place of Dany Priso and Killian Geraci, the only changes from the World Cup hosts’ narrow victory over Australia last weekend.

Wardi was serving a three-week suspension for a dangerous tackle on Les Bleus captain Antoine Dupont while on Top 14 duty for La Rochelle.

“We wanted to have him at the start but he was guilty of a dangerous tackle and was shown a red card which stopped him from coming with us,” Galthie said.

“Once he was able to, we didn’t hesitate in calling him up.”

The 30-year-old lock Chalureau replaces the injured Geraci, who won the European Challenge Cup and the Top 14 with Montpellier over the past two seasons.

“We’ve followed him for two years since Montpellier have been transformed and taken a dimension that has allowed him to come into our changing room and claim a shirt,” Galthie said.

“It gives us options depending on what happens in the match,” he added.

France’s squad to face South Africa:

Thomas Ramos; Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Jonathan Danty, Yoram Moefana; Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont (capt); Gregory Alldritt, Charles Ollivon, Anthony Jelonch; Thibaud Flament, Cameron Woki; Uini Atonio, Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille

Replacement: Peato Mauvaka, Reda Wardi, Sipili Falatea, Romain Taofifenua, Bastien Chalureau, Sekou Macalou, Maxime Lucu, Matthieu Jalibert

Coach: Fabien Galthie (FRA)

Photo by EPA/YOAN VALAT