Philippe Saint-André has shuffled his deck ahead of this weekend’s game in Paris, with France searching for revenge after going down 14-19 to England at Twickenham last Saturday.
Like Lancaster with England, Saint-André has recalled several of his big guns. Wesley Fofana and Mathieu Bastareaud form a familiar centre partnership, with Yoann Huget and Noa Nakaitaci on the flanks joining Scott Spedding who remains at fullback.
The Toulon half-back duo of Seb Tillous-Borde and Freddie Michalak take over the nine and ten jerseys, while Bernard le Roux and Damien Chouly join Louis Picamoles – so insatiable at Twickenham – in the back-row. Pascal Papé captains the side alongside Yoann Maestri in the engine room, while Eddy Ben Arous and Rabah Slimani prop down either side of Guilhem Guirado.
FRANCE TEAM TO PLAY ENGLAND
15. Scott Spedding, 14. Yoann Huget, 13. Mathieu Bastareaud, 12. Wesley Fofana, 11. Noa Nakaitaci, 10. Freddie Michalak, 9. Sebastien Tillous-Borde; 1. Eddy Ben Arous, 2. Guilhem Guirado, 3. Rabah Slimani, 4. Pascal Papé (c), 5. Yoann Maestri, 6. Damien Chouly, 7. Bernard le Roux, 8. Louis Picamoles
Replacements: 16. Benjamin Kayser, 17. Vincent Debaty, 18. Uini Atonio, 19. Alexandre Flanquart, 20. Yannick Nyanga, 21. Rory Kockott, 22. Rémi Tales, 23. Gael Fickou
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Whatever happened to Teddy Thomas? Is he injured?
I believe he missed out on the original squad!
So this weekend is the real test for Burrell and JJ. Fofana and Bastareaud will be testing their defence big time. If the French get the better of this midfield pairing we’ve always got 12T to come on and put it right.
Yes I’m joking!
Pity we did’nt see Sam and Henry against these two.Different story methinks.
Strong team, big test for England this weekend – interesting to see how Burrell goes
Michelak. Thank you PSA.
I worry for JJ a bit here,especially if France target him with big runners. I know he can’t be wrapped in cotton wool but was this really the game to bring him back in?
Burgess v that big Bastareaud would be seismic!
I’m still wondering why George has been ignored. Makes no sense.