France head coach Fabien Galthie has handed a Six Nations debut to Toulon winger Gabin Villière for Saturday's Six Nations opener against Italy in Rome.
The 25-year-old former Sevens international made his 25s deubt in their Autumn Nations Cup defeat of the Italians in Paris in November, scoring a try in the 36-5 victory.
He partners Teddy Thomas and Brice Dulin in the back three, with Arthur Vincent coming into the centre to partner Gael Fickou, owing to Virimi Vakatawa's absence.
Meanwhile Matthieu Jalibert takes the place of the injured Romain Ntamack at outhalf, to partner Antoine Dupont.
Gregory Alldritt - who picked up three man of the match awards during last season's competition has been passed fit to partner Charles Ollivon and Dylan Cretin in the backrow, while Toulouse hooker Julien Marchand gets the nod over Pierre Bourgarit at hooker, with Racing 92's Camille Chat out injured.
Argentina-born Ignacio Brex makes his Italian debut in the entre, while Franco Smith has opted for a youthful half-back partnership, with 20-year-old Paolo Garbisi joining Gloucester's 19-year-old scrumhalf Stephen Varney in the starting team.
The sides kick off the 2021 Six Nations Championship at 2.15pm this Saturday
ITALY
Jacopo Truller: Luca Sperandio, Marco Zanon, Ignacio Brex, Montanna Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney; Cherif Traorè, Luca Bigi (capt), Marco Riccioni, Marco Lazzaroni, David Sisi, Sebastian Negri, Johan Meyer, Michele Lamaro.
Replacements: 16 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17 Danilo Fischetti, 18 Giosué Zilocchi, 19 Niccolò Cannone, 20 Federico Ruzza, 21 Maxime Mbandà, 22 Guglielmo Palazzani, 23 Carlo Canna.
FRANCE
Brice Dulin; Teddy Thomas, Arthur Vincent, Gaël Fickou, Gabin Villière; Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Dupont; Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand, Mohamed Haouas, Bernard Le Roux, Paul Willemse, Dylan Cretin, Charles Ollivon (capt), Gregory Alldritt.
Replacements: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Francois Gros, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Anthony Jelonch, 21 Baptiste Serin, 22 Louis Carbonel, 23 Damian Penaud.
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