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Fofana returns as France ring changes for Italy clash

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Wesley Fofana returns from injury to the France starting line-up as one of six changes for their final 2019 Guinness Six Nations clash with Italy.

Wesley Fofana returns from injury to the France starting line-up as one of six changes for their final 2019 Guinness Six Nations clash with Italy.

Les Bleus head coach Jacques Brunel has swung the axe following his side’s defeat to Ireland in Round Four with four changes in the pack and two in the backline.

Fofana started the Championship opener against Wales before injury struck, but returns in place of Gael Fickou this weekend in France’s midfield.

The Clermont centre announced before the Championship that 2019 would be his last year of international rugby so this will be his final outing for Les Bleus in the Guinness Six Nations.

The other change in the backline sees Maxime Medard return for his Toulouse clubmate Thomas Ramos at full-back.

Up front, Etienne Falgoux will make his first France start at loosehead prop with Jefferson Poirot injured while Paul Willemse returns to the second row to partner Felix Lambey.

In the back row, Yacouba Camara and Gregory Alldritt are both handed starts in place of the injured Wenceslas Lauret and Arthur Iturria who drops to the bench.

Guilhem Guirado remains at hooker and captains the side while the bench includes Baptiste Serin, Camille Lopez and Ramos as back cover and Camille Chat, Dany Priso, Dorian Aldegheri, Iturria and Paul Gabrillagues in the forwards.

France team to face Italy: 15. Maxime Medard (Toulouse) 14. Damian Penaud (Clermont) 13. Mathieu Bastareaud (Toulon) 12. Wesley Fofana (Clermont) 11. Yoann Huget (Toulouse) 10. Romain Ntamack (Toulouse) 9. Antoine Dupont (Toulouse)

1. Etienne Falgoux (Clermont) 2. Guilhem Guirado (Montpellier) 3. Demba Bamba (Brive) 4. Felix Lambey (Lyon) 5. Paul Willemse (Montpellier) 6. Gregory Alldritt (La Rochelle) 7. Yacouba Camara (Montpellier) 8. Louis Picamoles (Montpellier)

Replacements:  16. Camille Chat (Racing 92) 17. Dany Priso (La Rochelle) 18. Dorian Aldegheri (Toulouse) 19. Paul Gabrillagues (Stade Francais) 20. Arthur Iturria (Clermont) 21. Baptiste Serin (Bordeaux-Begles) 22. Camille Lopez (Clermont)  23. Thomas Ramos (Toulouse)