Antoine Dupont fit to start for France against Wales

Captain Guilhem Guirado returns to side with Gael Fickou also back in midfieler

Antoine Dupont starts for France against Wales. Photograph: Gabriel bouys/AFP/Getty

Scrumhalf dangerman Antoine Dupont is fit for France's World Cup quarter-final against Wales on Sunday.

Dupont, who Wales head coach Warren Gatland believes is one of the world’s best number nines, had been troubled by a back problem.

But he will take his place alongside halfback partner Romain Ntamack in Oita.

France head coach Jacques Brunel has made five changes from the side that defeated Tonga last time out.

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Dupont replaces Baptiste Serin, while skipper Guilhem Guirado returns, in addition to lock Bernard Le Roux, wing Yoann Huget and centre Gael Fickou.

Full-back Maxime Medard is the only survivor from the France team that beat Wales 9-8 in the 2011 World Cup semi-finals.

France: M Medard; D Penaud, V Vakatawa, G Fickou, Y Huget; R Ntamack, A Dupont; J Poirot, G Guirado (capt), R Slimani, B Le Roux, S Vahaamahina, W Lauret, C Ollivon, G Alldritt. Replacements: C Chat, C Baille, E Setiano, P Gabrillagues, L Picamoles, B Serin, C Lopez, V Rattez.