🗓️ Date: Saturday 15 November 2025
🕐 Kick-off: 20:10 GMT
🏟️ Venue: Stade Matmut-Atlantique, Bordeaux
📺 Broadcast: TNT Sports (UK & Ireland) – more TV info here
🎟️ Tickets: Via FFR
📊 Stats to know
France have lost each of their last four Tests, as many defeats as across their previous 24 outings combined (W19 D1), and their longest run of losses since a five-game stretch between March and November 2018.
France have won six of their last seven Tests in Bordeaux (L1), with this set to be just their second fixture in the city this century, after a 19–12 victory against Ireland in August 2011.
Fiji lost their most recent Test (18–38 v England) after winning five in a row previously, halting what was their longest winning run since 1999 (W5) – the Flying Fijians have scored 3+ tries in each of their last six outings.
Damian Penaud scored two tries against New Zealand last weekend to become France’s all-time top try scorer in men’s Test rugby (40), overtaking Serge Blanco (38) – Penaud has scored nine tries across his last five Tests against sides outside of the Six Nations or Rugby Championship, including a hat-trick in his most recent (v Namibia at the 2023 Rugby World Cup).
Tevita Ikanivere scored two tries against England last weekend, taking his tally to six across his last six Tests for Fiji, with the hooker now having scored three tries across his last two Tests against Six Nations sides (also one v Scotland in July).
👥 Teams
France: 15 Thomas Ramos; 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Nicolas Depoortère, 12 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey; 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Maxime Lucu; 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 2 Julien Marchand, 3 Régis Montagne; 4 Charles Ollivon, 5 Thibaud Flament; 6 Anthony Jelonch, 7 Oscar Jegou, 8 Gregory Alldritt (c) Replacements: 16 Maxime Lamothe, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Thomas Laclayat, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Hugo Auradou, 21 Paul Boudehent, 22 Baptiste Jauneau, 23 Émilien Gailleton
Fiji: 15 Salesi Rayasi; 14 Selestino Ravutaumada, 13 Kalaveti Ravouvou, 12 Josua Tuisova, 11 Jiuta Wainiqolo; 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Simione Kuruvoli; 1 Eroni Mawi, 2 Tevita Ikanivere (c), 3 Mesake Doge; 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 5 Temo Mayanavanua; 6 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Elia Canakaivata, 8 Viliame Mata
Replacements: 16 Zuriel Togiatama, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Tim Hoyt, 19 Mesake Vocevoce, 20 Kitione Salawa, 21 Sam Wye, 22 Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula, 23 Sireli Maqala
🔍 Overview
France welcome Fiji to Bordeaux for a Saturday night showdown in the Quilter Nations Series - a fixture that promises flair, physicality and fireworks. Les Bleus are the reigning Guinness Men's Six Nations champions with a squad full of attacking threats, but will be hurting from their loss to a 14-man Springbok team last time out. Pacific Nations Cup champions Fiji are themselves battle-hardened from defeat to England at Allianz Stadium last weekend.
The last time these sides met, France ran out 34–17 winners in Paris, but Fiji’s offloading game and counter-attacking brilliance always make them a dangerous prospect. With Bordeaux’s rugby-mad crowd behind them, France will be favourites, but Fiji have the firepower to cause an upset.
While France won the last meeting between the two - in the 2023 Summer Nations Series - their previous encounter was a 21-14 win for Fiji in 2018.
🧠 Tactical focus
France will look to dominate territory and tempo through the boot of fullback Thomas Ramos and the control of scrum-half Nolann Le Garrec - that is if head coach Fabien Galthié doesn't decide to experiment with his line-up. France's regular back three - including reigning Guinness Player of the Championship Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Damian Penaud - offer lethal finishing, but there are more than a few newcomers who could be tested against Fiji.
Fiji will counter with pace and unpredictability. Caleb Muntz pulls the strings at fly-half, while hooker Tevita Ikanivere scored twice at Allianz Stadium against England, and will be a constant threat to the French. Centre or wing Kalaveti Ravouvou, the joint top-try scorer in this year's Pacific Nations Cup, is also one to look out for.
🏟️ Bordeaux matchday experience
Expect a buzzing atmosphere in Bordeaux, where rugby passion runs deep. Fans will gather early around Place des Quinconces and the Chartrons district, with bars like Le Bouchon Bordelais and Café Brun packed with supporters. With kick-off at 21:10 local time, the city will be alive with colour, noise and anticipation. Whether you’re inside Stade Matmut-Atlantique or soaking it up nearby, matchday in Bordeaux will be one to remember.