Fofana handed France start on Six Nations farewell

Jacques Brunel has handed Wesley Fofana a start in his final Six Nations appearance as one of six changes as France look to finish another disappointing campaign with victory over Italy on Saturday.

France travel to Rome with one win from their four matches and seeking to put a 26-14 defeat to Ireland last time out swiftly behind them.

Brunel’s side sit second bottom in the table ahead of the final round but cannot be caught by Italy, who are yet to get off the mark.

Four of France’s changes come in the pack as Etienne Falgoux replaces Jefferson Poirot in the front row, Paul Willemse is preferred at lock to Sebastien Vahaamahina, while Gregory Alldritt and Yacouba Camara come into the back row.

Maxime Medard will slot in at full-back in place of Thomas Ramos, while Brunel prefers Fofana at inside centre on his farewell appearance.

France go into the clash having won 17 of their 19 Six Nations matches against Italy, including a 40-17 victory on their last visit to Stadio Olimpico in 2017.

 Dernier match samedi à 13:30 au Stadio Olimpico de Rome pour votre #XVdeFrance ! Allez les Bleus ! #ITAFRA ! #NeFaisonsXV pic.twitter.com/IbHETdcWzM

— Fédération Française de Rugby (@FFRugby) March 14, 2019

France XV: Maxime Medard, Damian Penaud, Mathieu Bastareaud, Wesley Fofana, Yoann Huget, Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont; Etienne Falgoux, Guilhem Guirado (captain), Demba Bamba, Felix Lambey, Paul Willemse, Gregory Alldritt, Yacouba Camara, Louis Picamoles

Replacements: Camille Chat, Dany Priso, Dorian Aldegheri, Paul Gabrillagues, Arthur Iturria, Baptiste Serin, Camille Lopez, Thomas Ramos

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