Dubai Telegraph - 'Impossible' to drop Dupont stand-in Lucu for France Six Nations title decider

Scrum-half Lucu starts Saturday's game instead of Antoine Dupont having replaced the injured talisman in last weekend's demolition of title holders Ireland.

Victory at the Stade de France guarantees Les Bleus the trophy for the second time since 2022.

"When a player puts in a performances like that, it's impossible to tell him we're making changes," Galthie told reporters.

"Considering we're playing a week later, and what's at stake, it's impossible to drop players who performed well against Ireland.

"The selection is based on performance, and Max put his hand up without any doubt," the former France captain added.

Lucu, 32, is one of two changes from last Saturday's win in Dublin as the expierenced Gael Fickou replaces Pierre-Louis Barassi in midfield to partner Yoram Moefana.

Barassi suffered a head injury in the Ireland win after superstar captain Dupont had sustained a serious knee issue, ruling him out for at least six months.

Fickou, 30, will join former centre Philippe Sella as France's most capped player in the tournament when he makes his 50th competition appearance.

The Racing 92 midfielder makes his first start of this Six Nations after recovering from a hand injury and beats Moefana's Bordeaux-Begles Nicolas Depoortere to the number 13 shirt.

"Gael is part of the players that automatically are in France's wider squad," Galthie said.

"He (Depoortere) plays very well with his club, he has the advantage of often playing with Yoram.

"We studied the two possibilities and chose Gael," Galthie added.

- Alldritt skipper -

No 8 Gregory Alldritt leads the side, as he did in the Irish capital following Dupont's injury.

La Rochelle's Alldritt has started all of Les Bleus' games this campaign having been dropped for November's win over Argentina after a string of below-par performances for club and country.

"He managed to work in the right way to find a solution to become a player again who performs well for France," Galthie said about the two-time Champions Cup winner.

"He has a connection with the decision makers in the team, those who manage the defence and the attack, it's his role.

"He's done the necessary work, to put things right to become the player he is and the player he wants to be," Galthie added.

On the substitues' bench, Galthie has kept his choice of six forwards and one back, with Le Garrec coming in for Lucu.

Team (15-1)

Thomas Ramos; Damia Penaud, Gael Fickou, Yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Romain Ntamack, Maxime Lucu; Gregory Alldritt (capt), Paul Boudehent, Francois Cros; Mickael Guillard, Thibaud Flament; Uini Atonio, Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros

Replacements: Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille, Dorian Aldegheri, Hugo Auradou, Emmanuel Meafou, Oscar Jegou, Anthony Jelonch, Nolann Le Garrec

I.Menon--DT