Fit-again Ntamack returns for France against Wales

Romain Ntamack last featured for France against Scotland on 12 August 2023

Men's Six Nations: France v Wales

Venue: Stade de France Date: Friday, 31 January Kick-off: 20:15 GMT

Coverage: Listen live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC 5 Live; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app; watch on S4C.

Romain Ntamack will make his first France appearance for 17 months in their Six Nations opener against Wales on Friday.

The fly-half suffered a serious knee injury in a warm-up game for the 2023 World Cup and missed that tournament as well as last year's Six Nations.

The 25-year-old returned to fitness for his club Toulouse but then injured his calf before last November's Test matches.

However he will partner club-mate Antoine Dupont at half-back against Wales in the opening match of the championship on Friday evening.

Dupont, 28, missed the 2024 Six Nations in order to focus on sevens before his home Olympics in Paris.

Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou, who were investigated over rape claims last year before they were dismissed in December, will start on the bench.

The two players, allowed to leave Argentina in September, always denied any wrongdoing and said the sex was consensual. The plaintiff has appealed against the court's decision and the next hearing will take place on 10 February.

Auradou returned to action with Pau in October while Jegou was back in November with La Rochelle.

Their inclusion on the bench is escalated by injuries to flanker Charles Ollivon - who is out for the rest of the season - and lock Thibaud Flament's muscle issue.

France coach Fabien Galthie is without wing Damien Penaud, who has a toe injury, and centre Gael Fickou because of a fractured thumb.

That means Theo Attissogbe joins Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Thomas Ramos in the back three and Pierre-Louis Barrassi is drafted in alongside Yoram Moefana in midfield.

Galthie, who has gone for a split of six forwards and two backs among his replacements, has recalled lock Alexandre Roumat in place of Flament.

La Rochelle flanker Paul Boudehent fills in for Ollivon and joins Francois Cros and Gregory Alldritt in the back row.

France, who won the Grand Slam in 2022, won their three autumn Tests against Japan, New Zealand and Argentina and are favourites for this year's Six Nations.

France side to play Wales: Thomas Ramos; Theo Attissogbe, Pierre-Louis Barrassi, Yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Romaine Ntamack, Antoine Dupont (capt); Jean-Baptiste Gros, Peato Mauvaka, Uini Atonio; Alexandre Roumat, Emmanuel Meafou; Francois Cros, Paul Boudehent, Gregory Alldritt

Replacements: Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille, Georges-Henri Colombe, Hugo Auradou, Mickael Guillard, Oscar Jegou, Nolann Le Garrec, Emilien Gailleton.