Rugby-Lucu in for recovering Dupont as France gear up for 'knockout' clash against Italy


FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Pool A - France v Namibia - Orange Velodrome, Marseille, France - September 21, 2023 France team huddle before the match REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/File Photo

PARIS (Reuters) -Maxime Lucu will start at scrumhalf to deputize for Antoine Dupont as coach Fabien Galthie stuck with his premium side for France's final Rugby World Cup Pool A game, a knockout-style clash against Italy on Friday.

Lucu will pair up with Bordeaux-Begles club partner, flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert, as Les Bleus look to wrap up top spot in the group and set up a potential quarter-final clash with defending champions South Africa, who are widely expected to end up second in Pool B behind Ireland.

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