Fiji Head Coach Jake White Names Nathan Hughes for France Clash
The Flying Fijians seek their first Nations Championship victory as they begin their European tour in Lyon this Saturday.
Fiji head coach Jake White has announced his squad for the upcoming Nations Championship match against France, set to take place this Saturday at Groupama Stadium in Lyon. The selection features the return of former England international Nathan Hughes, who will start at No. 8. Hughes, currently playing for Racing 92 in the French Top 14, has not appeared in a Test match since 2019, when he played during the Six Nations tournament.
The inclusion of Hughes is part of a strategic lineup as Fiji looks to secure its first points of the Nations Championship. White has paired Hughes in the backrow with Kitione Salawa and Pita-Gus Sowakula. The front row will be led by captain Tevita Ikanivere, supported by Eroni Mawi and Luke Tagi. In the half-back positions, Simione Kuruvoli and Isikeli Rabitu have been named to direct the team's offensive play.
The midfield will feature Vinaya Habosi and Iosefo Masi, while the back three consists of Jiuta Wainiqolo, Salesi Rayasi, and Selestino Ravutaumada. White expressed hope that his team can pull off a significant upset against the French side. This match marks the second phase of White's tenure, following a successful start against Japan last month.
Fiji enters the November window at the bottom of the Southern Hemisphere standings with zero championship points. The team struggled during the July series, suffering consecutive losses to Wales, England, and Scotland. With three matches remaining in their Northern Hemisphere tour, the Flying Fijians are focused on improving their standing before the Finals Weekend, which is scheduled to be held in London from November 27 to 29.
The opposition, France, currently leads the Northern Hemisphere standings with 12 points. Head coach Fabien Galthié is aiming to maintain his team's position at the top of the table as they compete against Scotland, England, and Ireland for a spot in the Grand Final. France finished their July campaign with a 2-1 record, having secured victories over Australia and Japan.
Following the match in Lyon, Fiji will continue its tour with a trip to Dublin to face Ireland on November 14 at Aviva Stadium. The regular season for the Flying Fijians will conclude on November 21 with a match against Italy at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine. The results of these final fixtures will determine Fiji's position in the standings and their subsequent opponent for the tournament's concluding weekend.