Nov 8 (Reuters) - France have called up seven new players to a reshuffled 42-man squad for their Nations Championship clash against South Africa this week after they beat Fiji 54-17 in Lyon on Saturday, including a return after five years for Teddy Thomas.
• The 33-year-old winger Thomas won the last of his 28 caps in Australia in July 2021
• CentreGael Fickou, 32, is also back and has a chance to move closer to the landmark of 100 caps. His 98th appearance was against Australia in Paris one year ago
• Hooker JulienMarchand has won a recall after returning from injury for Toulouse in their Top 14 clash against Clermont
•Gael Drean also returned to competitive action on Saturday afternoon for his club Toulon following more than five months out. The winger had cardiac surgery in June
• Also called up arethe Pau pair of winger Gregoire Arfeuil and loose forward Loic Credoz
• France must do without flyhalfRomain Ntamack, who hurt his left shoulder in the first half of the test and is replaced in the squad by Louis Carbonel
(Reporting by Mark Gleeson; Editing by William Mallard)
