Jonathan Danty will miss France's opening Rugby World Cup game with New Zealand on Friday night (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player), with Yoram Moefana named to start in the centre.
Danty had been an injury doubt coming into the tournament for the hosts with a hamstring injury, and isn't being risked by head coach Fabien Galthie, who has picked arguably his strongest available XV for their meeting with the All Blacks at Stade de France.
Moefana partners Gael Fickou in the centre, with Matthieu Jalibert getting the start at out-half after Romain Ntamack was ruled out of the tournament due to a knee injury. Jalibert is alongside captain Antoine Dupont in the half-backs.
The back three is as expected, with Toulouse's Thomas Ramos at full-back, in between wings Damian Penaud and Gabin Villiere.
Up front, La Rochelle's Reda Wardi starts at loosehead with Cyril Baille out injured, partnering Julien Marchand and Uini Atonio in the front row.
Thibaud Flament and Cameron Woki make up the second row partnership in the absence of Paul Willemse, while it's a first choice back row of Francois Cros, Charles Ollivon and Greg Alldritt.
Meanwhile, New Zealand will also be without one of their first choice centres, with Jordie Barrett (below) left out of the starting XV.
The versatile back has been carrying a knee injury in recent days, with his place in the side taken by Anton Lienert-Brown, who joins Rieko Ioane in midfield.
It's one of four changes made by head coach Ian Foster following New Zealand's record 35-7 loss to South Africa.
The remaining three changes come in the pack, with Nepo Laulalau replacing the injured Tyrel Lomax at tighthead, while Codie Taylor takes the place of Dane Coles at hooker. The pair pack down alongside Ethan de Groot in the front row.
Sam Whitelock and Scott Barrett are retained in the second row, while Dalton Papali'i comes into the back row alongside Ardie Savea and captain Sam Cane, with Luke Jacobson dropping to the bench.
In the backline, Aaron Smith and Richie Mo'unga start in the half-backs as expected, while Mark Telea, Will Jordan and Beauden Barrett complete the side.
France: Thomas Ramos; Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Yoram Moefana, Gabin Villiere; Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Dupont (capt); Reda Wardi, Julien Marchand, Uini Atonio; Cameron Woki, Thibaud Flament; Francois Cros, Charles Ollivon, Gregory Alldritt.
Replacements: Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Dorian Aldegheri, Romain Taofifenua, Paul Boudehent, Maxime Lucu, Arthur Vincent, Melvyn Jaminet
New Zealand: Beauden Barrett; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Mark Telea; Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith; Ethan de Groot, Codie Tayloe, Nepo Laulala; Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett; Dalton Papali'i, Sam Cane (capt), Ardie Savea
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei'aho, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa'i, Luke Jacobson, Finlay Christie, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku
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Watch France v New Zealand (Friday 8.15pm), Australia v Georgia (Saturday 5pm), England v Argentina (Saturday 8pm) and Japan v Chile (Sunday 12pm) on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player this weekend.
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