Fiji Hand Former England Star Nathan Hughes a Test Return Against France

Fiji have handed former England international Nathan Hughes a return to Test rugby, selecting the 35-year-old number eight for Saturday's Nations Championship meeting with France in Lyon. Hughes, who was born in Fiji and won 22 caps for England between 2016 and 2019, is eligible to represent his country of birth under World Rugby's revised Regulation 8, which allows players to switch allegiance after a three-year absence from their previous national team, provided they hold a qualifying birthright connection and receive World Rugby approval. He will pack down in a back row alongside Pita-Gus Sowakula and Kitione Salawa, with Mesake Vocevoce and Isoa Nasilasila in the second row and captain Tevita Ikanivere at hooker. Isikeli Rabitu starts at fly-half, with Simione Kuruvoli at scrum-half. The match is the second in charge for new Fiji head coach Jake White. After facing France, Fiji travel to Dublin to meet Ireland on November 14 before finishing the autumn against Italy in Udine a week later.