Le Garrec came on as a replacement in three of France's Six Nations games this season Nolann Le Garrec and Antoine Hastoy will form a strong half-back partnership for the France second-string XV that takes on an England XV in Saturday's non-capped match at Allianz Stadium. Le Garrec, along with Maxime Lucu, has served as back-up to France's first-choice scrum-half Antoine Dupont over the past couple of seasons, winning 10 caps at the age of 23. Fly-half Hastoy started both last summer's Tests against Argentina and was key to a late-season run of form that almost carried La Rochelle into the Top 14 play-offs. The pair will play alongside each other at club level next season with Le Garrec moving to La Rochelle from Racing 92 this summer. Elsewhere the experienced Gael Fickou partners 21-year-old emerging star Emilien Gailleton in the centres, while 35-year-old Leinster prop Rabah Slimani, who has not played for his country in almost six years, starts in the front row. Theo Attissogbe, who scored three tries in France's run to the Six Nations title, starts at full-back with the uncapped duo of Alivereti Duguivalu and Mael Moustin on the wing. Tyler Duguid, who grew up in Canada but moved to France as a teenager, is named in the second row with Mickael Guillard, one of the breakout successes of France's Six Nations, at number eight. France head coach Fabien Galthie is without players from Toulouse, Bordeaux-Begles, Toulon and Bayonne as they contest the Top 14 semi-finals. France's frontline stars are usually rested for the country's summer tours, however, the federation has struck an agreement with their clubs to release a small number of Test regulars for the three-match series against New Zealand in July. England named their team on Thursdaywith Immanuel Feyi-Waboso making his comeback after six months out with a shoulder injury. France A:Attissogbe; Moustin, Gailleton, Fickou, Duguivalu; Hastoy, Le Garrec; Erdocio, Barlot, Slimani, Auradou, Duguid, Fishcher, Tixeront, Guillard. Replacements:G Marchand, Mallez, Bamba, Taofifenua, Van Tonder, Woki, Jauneau, Berdeu
Le Garrec and Hastoy to steer France A against England
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"Nolann Le Garrec and Antoine Hastoy to lead France A against England XV"
Bbc News
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TruthLens AI Summary
Nolann Le Garrec and Antoine Hastoy are set to lead the France A team as they face an England XV in a non-capped match at Allianz Stadium this Saturday. Le Garrec, who has made an impact as a replacement in three of France's Six Nations games this season, has been a reliable backup to first-choice scrum-half Antoine Dupont, earning 10 caps at just 23 years old. His partner, fly-half Hastoy, has shown his prowess by starting in both Tests against Argentina last summer and contributing significantly to La Rochelle's performance in the latter part of the last season, nearly propelling them into the Top 14 play-offs. The upcoming season will see the pair unite at the club level, as Le Garrec transitions from Racing 92 to La Rochelle, further strengthening their partnership on the field.
In addition to Le Garrec and Hastoy, the France A lineup features experienced players and emerging talents. The centres will be anchored by veteran Gael Fickou and 21-year-old Emilien Gailleton, showcasing a blend of experience and youth. Notably, 35-year-old Rabah Slimani returns to the front row after a six-year absence from international play. Theo Attissogbe, who has been a standout performer with three tries during the Six Nations, will start at full-back, while uncapped players Alivereti Duguivalu and Mael Moustin are set to take the wings. The second row will include Tyler Duguid, who moved to France from Canada in his teens, alongside Mickael Guillard, a rising star from the recent Six Nations. Head coach Fabien Galthie faces challenges as many top players are unavailable due to their participation in the Top 14 semi-finals, but an agreement has been reached with clubs to release a select few for the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand in July. Meanwhile, England has also announced their squad, featuring Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, who is making his comeback after a six-month injury layoff.
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