Gourgues at Centre, Verhaeghe in Second Row: Capilla Set for Possible Debut

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The selection for the match against Fiji has led to changes in several key positions. Fabien Galthié has selected Maxime Lamothe at scrum-half, moved Florian Verhaeghe into the second row and placed François Cros at number eight. Kalvin Gourgues will take over at centre.

Esteban Capilla’s deployment is particularly interesting. The player will initially be on the bench because Oscar Jegou has been ruled out at short notice. Capilla could therefore receive his first international call-up. The L’Équipe report thus names both the expected French lineup and the squad’s special circumstances.

Three positions have changed

Lamothe, Verhaeghe and Cros will fill the first three listed positions in the expected lineup. Galthié has therefore departed from at least one previously reported option: Lamothe starts in the field instead of Jegou. Verhaeghe moves into the second row, while Cros takes the number eight position.

The biggest change comes at centre, where Gourgues—not the nominal starter—is expected to play. The report explicitly states that Galthié has selected the 21-year-old for the position. Together with the changes in the back row, this creates a mix of players from several positions that the sources name specifically.

This does not mean that the starting lineup consists solely of these four players. The report refers to the positions Galthié has “particularly” filled. The source does not name any further selections or possible substitutions. For an immediate assessment of the personnel decisions, however, the information provided is sufficient.

Why Capilla’s role is not yet confirmed

Esteban Capilla would initially be a substitute before the match. The reason is Oscar Jegou’s “forfait de dernière minute”; his short-term absence has changed the lineup. Capilla has therefore moved up to the bench, where he is expected to come on if needed.

The source’s wording is important: Capilla could receive his first call-up. This is not yet confirmation that he will actually play. Whether he takes the field or is simply earmarked as a possible replacement depends on how the match unfolds. For now, only his selection for the bench is definitively established.

For you, that means the newly filled centre position is not the only interesting aspect: there is also the possibility of a debut. Particularly in the case of a short-notice absence, the original plans can quickly change again.

The match plan is not yet fully clear

There is now a definite date for the match: Saturday evening at 21:10. It will be played in Lyon. The sources also name the key positions where Galthié has made personnel decisions against Fiji.

What remains open, however, is the final selection for the other positions. There is also no confirmed report on whether Capilla will actually be brought on. The current information therefore provides a clear picture of the expected changes, but not yet a complete starting lineup for the match against Fiji.

Your guide to the French lineup

The key names and details can be summed up quickly: 21:10, Lyon and Fiji as the opponent. Alongside those are Maxime Lamothe at number nine, Florian Verhaeghe in the second row, François Cros at number eight and Kalvin Gourgues at centre.

The situation for Esteban Capilla is more nuanced: Oscar Jegou’s absence has brought his first international call-up within reach, but it is not yet final. This distinction is crucial when assessing the current personnel update.