The French national rugby team is set to face Australia on Saturday at the Stade de France, concluding their November tour. This match carries significant weight as a victory or narrow defeat is crucial to maintaining their top-six position in the World Rugby rankings, which would secure a favourable seed for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. The French team, ranked fifth with 87.07 points, risks falling out of the top six if they lose to seventh-ranked Australia by 16 points or more. Thibaud Flament, Emmanuel Meafou, and Gaël Fickou will return to the starting lineup, while Kalvin Gourgues, aged 20, may earn his first cap from the bench. La Dépêche Le Progrès La Dépêche

Arsenal's formidable defence, which had achieved eight consecutive clean sheets across all competitions, was finally breached in a 2-2 draw against Sunderland. With only five goals conceded in 11 Premier League matches, the Gunners maintain the best defensive record in Europe’s top five leagues. However, injuries to key players, including Gabriel Magalhaes, could challenge their consistency ahead of their upcoming clash with Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenal's current defensive metrics place them in contention with legendary Premier League defences, such as Mourinho's 2004-05 Chelsea squad. BBC Sport

Kalvin Gourgues, a promising talent from Stade Toulousain, will make his debut for France this weekend after overcoming significant health challenges last year. Following multiple surgeries to address a life-threatening blood clot in his leg, Gourgues has made a remarkable return, earning praise for his versatility across centre, fullback, and fly-half positions. His selection highlights his resilience and burgeoning talent within the rugby union landscape. La Dépêche La Dépêche

The New Zealand All Blacks have made 13 changes to their starting lineup for their final autumn test match against Wales. Key players, including Ardie Savea and Beauden Barrett, have been rested, with Damian McKenzie stepping in at fly-half. New Zealand aims to maintain their historic dominance over Wales, having won all encounters since 1953. Meanwhile, Wales introduces Harri Deaves for his first cap in a reshuffled back row. Ouest France BBC Sport

At the WTT Star Contender tournament in Muscat, Oman, Simon Gauzy suffered a first-round exit, jeopardizing his qualification for the season-ending Finals. In contrast, Alexis Lebrun advanced to the round of 16 with a decisive victory over Kazuki Hamada, bolstering his chances of securing a spot in Hong Kong's Finals. The tournament remains critical for French players aiming to solidify their global rankings. L'Equipe Ouest France L'Equipe

The 3x3 Toulouse basketball team, led by Jules Rambaut and Franck Séguéla, is targeting victory at the World Tour Final in Manama, Bahrain. Despite a challenging second half of the season, the team enters the competition ranked eighth globally, following strong performances in Amsterdam and other tournaments. Success in Bahrain would cap a historic season for the French side. L'Equipe

Two compelling sports documentaries have captured attention this week. "Let Me Run," airing on Canal+, examines the historical and contemporary struggles of women in sports through key figures like Alice Milliat and Megan Rapinoe. Meanwhile, "Slows," available on YouTube, chronicles the adventurous journey of three surfers navigating remote European waters in search of undiscovered waves. These films highlight resilience and passion in diverse sporting contexts. L'Equipe