France hosts Fiji in Lyon to open Nations Championship return leg

France takes on Fiji on Saturday evening at Lyon's Groupama Stadium, kicking off the return phase of the 2026 Nations Championship. Antoine Dupont and Louis Bielle-Biarrey lead Les Bleus as they aim to keep first place in the northern hemisphere standings.

The match begins at 21:10 local time and marks the first of three November fixtures for France, followed by games against Argentina and South Africa. Coach Fabien Galthié must field his side without several players who are unavailable due to injuries.

“The Nations Championship will crown not only the best team in the world, but also the best-performing hemisphere.”

After six matchdays, teams will be ranked from first to sixth within their hemisphere. All nations will then gather at London's Allianz Stadium from 27 to 29 November 2026 for a final weekend.

The final format pairs each northern nation with the southern team holding the same rank, meaning sixth plays sixth and fifth plays fifth. The two top-ranked teams will meet in the grand final to decide the world champion and the best-performing hemisphere.

The Nations Championship will crown both the world's best team and the strongest hemisphere across three days of competition in late November.

France's victory over Fiji would strengthen its bid for a top-two finish and a place in the London final weekend.