Monster midfield for France
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France head coach Jacques Brunel has opted for consistency in his line-up, making just two changes to the starting line-up for their clash with Argentina on Saturday.
Following the late heartbreaking 26-29 defeat to the Springboks, Brunel has promoted Gaël Fickou and Yoann Huget from the bench for Saturday’s fixtures.
Stade Francais’ brilliant acquisition Fickou comes in at inside-centre, replacing Geoffrey Doumayrou, who drops out of the France matchday squad altogether.
Teh 24-year-old will partner with Mathieu Bastareaud as the new centre pair.
Meanwhile, Toulouse wing Huget has been handed the No.11 shirt, taking the place of Damian Penaud, who has been ruled out of the remainder of Les Bleus November Tests with an ankle injury.
France: 15 Maxime Médard, 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Gaël Fickou, 11 Yoann Huget, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Baptiste Serin, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Arthur Iturria, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 3 Cedate Gomes Sa, 2 Guilhem Guirado (captain), 1 Jefferson Poirot.
Replacements: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Dany Priso, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 Paul Gabrillagues, 20 Mathieu Babillot, 21 Antoine Dupont, 22 Anthony Belleau, 23 Benjamin Fall
Date: Saturday, November 17
Venue: Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille
Kick-off: 21.00 (17.00 ART, 20.00 GMT)
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley (England), Ian Davies (Wales)
TMO: David Grashoff (England)
