Fabien Galthie has named his France squad for the upcoming Nations Championship fixtures in November.
Les Bleus are dealing with an ever-growing injury list ahead of the internationals against Argentina, South Africa and Fiji, with Matthieu Jalibert, Thomas Ramos, Julien Marchand, Emmanuel Meafou, Thibaud Flament, Demba Bamba and Lenni Nouchi all ruled out.
Former Junior Bok included in France’s squad
While head coach Galthie is contending with that expanding injury list, he has swung the selection axe with Bordeaux’s Nicolas Depoortere dropped. His exclusion is to create space for former Junior Boks captain Jeremy Ward, who will not be eligible for France until next year through residency.
The 30-year-old South African has been in sublime form for Stade Français, whom he joined from the Durban Sharks back in 2022. As per World Rugby regulations, Ward needs to complete five years of residency to become eligible for the French national team, so his inclusion now is purely for training purposes.
Elsewhere, Gregory Alldritt has been recalled to the squad, having missed the 2026 Six Nations and withdrawn from the July Nations Championship matches. The 42-man squad also includes key players such as Antoine Dupont, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, and François Cros.
Ward is joined in the squad by fellow uncapped players in Théo Forner, Mathis Ferté, Tani Vili, Axel Desperes and Karl Sorin.
France squad for the November Nations Championship matches
Forwards: Grégory Alldritt, Hugo Auradou, Paul Boudehent, Joshua Brennan, Esteban Capilla, Guillaume Cramont, François Cros, Tyler Duguid, Sipili Falatea, Alexandre Fischer, Marko Gazzotti, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Mickaël Guillard, Oscar Jegou, Maxime Lamothe, Peato Mauvaka, Charles Ollivon, Jefferson Poirot, Karl Sorin, Thomas Staniforth, Tevita Tatafu, Reda Wardi, Cameron Woki
Backs: Théo Attissogbe, Léo Barré, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Fabien Brau-Boirie, Axel Desperes, Antoine Dupont, Mathis Ferté, Théo Forner, Émilien Gailleton, Kalvin Gourgues, Aaron Grandidier Nkanang, Antoine Hastoy, Nolann Le Garrec, Maxime Lucu, Yoram Moefana, Romain Ntamack, Damian Penaud, Tani Vili, Jeremy Ward
France’s November Fixtures
France v Fiji
Date: Saturday, 7 November 2026
Venue: Groupama Stadium, Lyon
Kick-off: 21:10 (local), 20:10 (UK), 21:10 (France), 22:10 (South Africa), 07:10 (8 November, AEDT), 09:10 (8 November, New Zealand), 17:10 (Argentina), 05:10 (8 November, JST), 15:10 (EST)
Broadcasters: TF1 (France), ITV / ITVX (United Kingdom), Virgin Media Television (Republic of Ireland), Sky Italia (Italy), SuperSport (South Africa / Africa), Nine Network / Stan Sport (Australia), Sky Sport (New Zealand), FloSports (USA), Wowow (Japan)
France v South Africa
Date: Friday, 13 November 2026
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 21:10 (local), 20:10 (UK), 21:10 (France), 22:10 (South Africa), 07:10 (14 November, AEDT), 09:10 (14 November, New Zealand), 17:10 (Argentina), 05:10 (14 November, JST), 15:10 (EST)
Broadcasters: TF1 (France), ITV / ITVX (United Kingdom), Virgin Media Television (Republic of Ireland), Sky Italia (Italy), SuperSport (South Africa / Africa), Nine Network / Stan Sport (Australia), Sky Sport (New Zealand), FloSports (USA), Wowow (Japan) .
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France v Argentina
Date: Saturday, 21 November 2026
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 21:10 (local), 20:10 (UK), 21:10 (France), 22:10 (South Africa), 07:10 (22 November, AEDT), 09:10 (22 November, New Zealand), 17:10 (Argentina), 05:10 (22 November, JST), 15:10 (EST)
Broadcasters: TF1 (France), ITV / ITVX (United Kingdom), Virgin Media Television (Republic of Ireland), Sky Italia (Italy), SuperSport (South Africa / Africa), Nine Network / Stan Sport (Australia), Sky Sport (New Zealand), FloSports (USA), Wowow (Japan)
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