France have summoned a group of veteran internationals as they prepare to face South Africa in a Nations Championship encounter overshadowed by mounting injury problems. Coach Fabien Galthié named 31-year-old hooker Julien Marchand in his squad after the Toulouse forward returned from a thigh injury sustained in early October, making his comeback for his club on Saturday.
The recall comes as France grapple with a deepening injury crisis in the backs. Fly-half Romain Ntamack was forced off with a shoulder problem during Saturday's 54-17 victory over Fiji in Lyon, his first international appearance after returning from injury. The hosts were already without fly-half Matthieu Jalibert and full-back Thomas Ramos, the latter also serving as France's primary goal kicker.
Galthié has turned to experience elsewhere, recalling 32-year-old centre Gaël Fickou and 33-year-old winger Teddy Thomas. Fly-half Louis Carbonel returns to the matchday squad for the first time since 2022, whilst winger Gaël Dréan, 26, has been included after recovering from heart surgery that sidelined him for six months. Dréan marked his return for Toulon with a try on Saturday.
France face a formidable challenge at the Stade de France, where South Africa have won five consecutive matches dating back to the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final. That one-point victory formed part of the Springboks' successful title defence. Les Bleus have managed just one win in their last 10 encounters with South Africa since 2009, a record Galthié will hope his reinforced squad can address despite the injury setbacks.