Rugby
Reuters 3y

France name seven uncapped players in squad for Wallabies test

Rugby

France hooker Gaetan Barlot and fullback Melvyn Jaminet will make their debuts when they take on Australia in the first test in Brisbane after coach Fabien Galthie named seven uncapped players in the 23-man squad on Saturday.

The first of three tests on July 7 was moved to Brisbane's Lang Park in the wake of Sydney's two-week COVID-19 lockdown. Brisbane also hosts the third and final test on July 17 while the second test is in Melbourne on July 13.

Flanker Anthony Jelonch, who has nine test caps, will captain the inexperienced side. The most experienced player in the squad is winger Damian Penaud with 23 caps.

Jelonch, Penaud and centre Arthur Vincent are the only players who started France's final Six Nations match in March when they lost to Scotland and handed the title to Wales.

France have named an inexperienced squad due to the involvement of many first-choice players in the TOP 14 final last weekend where Toulouse beat La Rochelle.

Due to COVID-19 protocols in Australia, there was little time to get them involved for the first test.

The French players arrived in the country last month but were forced to quarantine for 14 days. They will leave Sydney for Brisbane the day before the match.

France: Melvyn Jaminet, Damian Penaud, Arthur Vincent, Jonathan Danty, Gabin Villiere, Louis Carbonel, Baptiste Couilloud, Sekou Macalou, Anthony Jelonch (captain), Dylan Cretin, Romain Taofifenua, Killian Geraci, Demba Bamba, Gaetan Barlot, Jean-Baptiste Gros

Replacements: Anthony Etrillard, Quentin Walcker, Sipili Falatea, Florent Vanverberghe, Baptiste Pesenti, Cameron Woki, Teddy Iribaren, Anthony Bouthier

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