Penaud out of France squad in sweeping changes for Six Nations, Dupont back

Antoine Dupont returns from injury to be part of the France Six Nations squad. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

France coach Fabien Galthie has made sweeping changes to his plans for the Six Nations, leaving Damian Penaud, Gregory Alldritt and Gael Fickou out of his 42-man squad on Wednesday as Antoine Dupont returns from injury.

The omissions of Penaud, France’s all-time leading try-scorer, former captain Alldritt and centurion centre Fickou mark a major shake-up by Galthie ahead of the championship, signalling a clear shift in selection strategy.