France Rugby Faces Springboks Test with Late Squad Change
FranceS preparations for Saturday’s crucial Test match against South Africa in Paris have been disrupted by a late injury, prompting coach Fabien Galthié to call up Stade Français fullback Léo Barré as a replacement. The move addresses a gap left by Bayonne flyhalf Joris Segonds, who sustained an injury during a recent club match.
The injury to Segonds adds another layer of complexity to Galthié’s planning ahead of the highly anticipated clash with the reigning world champions. Segonds suffered the injury while playing for Bayonne in their 49-7 victory over Montauban on Saturday, successfully converting six tries before being forced off the pitch. The nature of Segonds’ injury has not been disclosed, but it is serious enough to rule him out of the November internationals.
Barré, 23, has nine international caps for Les Bleus and was initially not selected for the second phase of training at Marcoussis. He now steps into the squad, replacing a former teammate who recently joined Bayonne for the 2024-25 season. Barré provides versatility to the French backline, capable of playing both fullback and wing. His inclusion demonstrates Galthié’s trust in his squad depth.
The upcoming match against the Springboks marks the first encounter between the two sides since France’s narrow 29-28 defeat in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final, also held in Paris. A senior official stated that the team is driven by a strong “desire to beat the Boks.” That quarter-final loss remains a painful memory for the French team and supporters,fueling their motivation for this rematch.
Following the Springboks test, France’s November schedule includes a match against Fiji on November 15 in Bordeaux, and a subsequent home game against the Wallabies at the Stade de France a week later.these matches will serve as vital readiness for France as they continue to build towards future international tournaments.
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