Sawt Falasteen - Fly-half Jalibert ruled out of France side to face Italy

The FFR gave no reason for Jalibert's absence but local daily Sud-Ouest claimed the Bordeaux fly-half has a problem with his left calf.

He is expected to be back for the match against Scotland on March 7 at Murrayfield.

Jalibert, who was handed his chance because of injury to Romain Ntamack, also missed France's three November Tests last year due to a muscle injury in his left thigh.

Toulouse's Thomas Ramos, initially slated to start at full-back, will move to fly-half, a position he has filled numerous times before.

Winger Theo Attissogbe, who has scored three tries in the wins over Ireland and Wales, switches to the number 15 jersey with Toulon's Gael Drean called up for his first Test.

The 25-year-old was plucked from amateur side Rennes in 2022 and has scored 36 tries in 63 appearances for Toulon, including 12 in 14 matches in all competitions this season.

France (15-1)

Theo Attissogbe; Gael Drean, Emilien Gailleton, Fabien Brau-Boirie, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Thomas Ramos, Antoine Dupont (capt); Anthony Jelonch, Oscar Jegou, Francois Cros; Emmanuel Meafou, Thibaud Flament; Dorian Aldegheri, Julien Marchand, Jean-Baptiste Gros

Replacements: Peato Mauvaka, Rodrigue Neti, Georges-Henri Colombe, Charles Ollivon, Mickael Guillard, Lenni Nouchi, Baptiste Serin, Pierre-Louis Barassi

Coach: Fabien Galthie

E.AbuRizq--SF-PST