Ntamack and Dupont reunite as France face a Fiji side built on Top 14 talent

Romain Ntamack and Antoine Dupont will start together for France for the first time in more than a year, and they face a Fiji team that knows the Top 14 well. Coach Fabien Galthie announced on Thursday 5 November 2026 that Ntamack will partner his Toulouse teammate at half-back in the opening Nations Championship Test at home.

The last time the pair lined up together for France was in March 2025, and both have been injured since. Dupont, 29, tore a cruciate knee ligament against Ireland in the 2025 Six Nations. Ntamack, 27, was injured when Dupont returned the following season.

Galthie said: "They are two top players who have won a lot with our team since 2020,"

A depleted France XV

France are without several key players, mostly from Toulouse, among them Thomas Ramos, Julien Marchand, Emmanuel Meafou, Thibault Flament and Anthony Jelonch. Kalvin Gourgues gets his first start at centre. Sipili Falatea and Cameron Woki make their first France starts since 2021 and 2023 respectively. Our earlier report on the matchday squad has more on the replacements.

Fiji lean on France-based players

For the Saturday Test in Lyon, Fiji head man Jake White has picked nine French-based players to start, and two more are among the replacements. Six of the seven backs play in France, among them Jiuta Wainiqolo, described as the Top 14's most potent finisher last season.

Galthie added: "They are spectacular players and it will be a spectacular match."

Form and what follows

France lead the northern hemisphere standings. Their only loss in July was by two points to New Zealand, and they then scored 42 points twice, against Australia and Japan. Fiji are bottom of the southern hemisphere table after losing their first three matches, including 73-8 to England.

France host South Africa six days after Fiji, then finish the group stage against Argentina on 21 November 2026, both at the Stade de France.