Aldegheri replaces Atonio in France Test squad

Toulouse tighthead prop Dorian Aldegheri has replaced La Rochelle’s Uini Atonio in France’s squad for next month’s Test series, the French Rugby Federation announced on Monday.

Atonio, 31, has a muscle injury and was replaced after an hour in his club’s Top14 victory over Toulon on Sunday.

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Aldegheri, 28, will compete with Lyon’s Demba Bamba and Castres’ Wilfrid Hounkpatin for a starting berth in games against Argentina on November 6, Georgia eight days later and New Zealand on November 20.

Later, Aldegheri’s team-mates in scrum-half Antoine Dupont and flanker Anthony Jelonch as well as Racing 92 centre Gael Fickou and La Rochelle’s No 8 Gregory Alldritt are candidates to be named Les Bleus’ captain for the fixtures.

Regular skipper in Toulon flanker Charles Ollivon is missing until at least next year with a knee injury.