Heraldo de Madrid - Moefana replaces Danty for France's Rugby World Cup opener

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Moefana replaces Danty for France's Rugby World Cup opener

SPORTS 06.09.2023

Moefana replaces Danty for France's Rugby World Cup opener / Photo: LOIC VENANCE - AFP/File

Centre Yoram Moefana will replace the injured Jonathan Danty in host nation France's side for the World Cup opener with New Zealand, head coach Fabien Galthie announced on Wednesday.

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La Rochelle's Danty, 30, suffered a hamstring injury late last month and will miss Friday's highly-anticipated match in Paris.

Bordeaux-Begles' Moefana, 23, is in line to make his 15th Test start against the three-time World Cup winners after making his debut in 2020.

"Yoram has three years of experience with us," Galthie told reporters

"We've worked on a lot of combinations and we have to be able to adapt.

"During this competition there are four group games, then potentially three knockouts. This France team will change," he added.

There are two other changes from the warm-up win over Australia on August 27 as lock Cameron Woki comes in for the injured Paul Willemse and prop Reda Wardi starts instead of Jean-Baptise Gros.

Ex-France captain Galthie has decided against including Bastien Chalureau in his matchday squad.

On Monday, the Montpellier lock denied he was racist after being at the centre of a row about his inclusion in the squad following a conviction in 2020 for a racially motivated attack, which he is appealing.

Les Bleus also play Uruguay, Namibia and Italy in Pool A as they bid to win the Rugby World Cup for the first time.

France (15-1)

Thomas Ramos; Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Yoram Moefana, Gabin Villiere; Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Dupont; Gregory Alldritt, Charles Ollivon, Francois Cros; Thibaud Flament, Cameron Woki; Uini Atonio, Julien Marchand, Reda Wardi

Replacements: Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Dorian Aldegheri, Romain Taofifenua, Paul Boudehent, Maxime Lucu, Arthur Vincent, Melvyn Jaminet

Y.Robles--HdM

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