Forward shake-up for France
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: France have made five changes to the starting line-up that will take on New Zealand in the second Test in Wellington on Saturday.
Jacques Brunel’s changes see a loose forward revamp and two injury-enforced backline modifications.
Defensive lapses by the loose forwards in the heavy11-52 defeat in Auckland last weekend have forced coach Jacques Brunel to rush late arrivals Kelian Galletier and Mathieu Babillot straight into the starting line-up.
However, the coach could find no room for veteran Wesley Fofana as they look to restore some dignity in Wellington on Saturday.
They replace Judicael Cancoriet and Fabien Sanconnie, while Kevin Gourdon, who started on the flank in Auckland, moves to the back row.
There are two backline changes with Benjamin Fall coming in at fullback for Maxime Medard while Gael Fickou replaces injured wing, Remy Grosso.
🔴 Le #XVdeFrance défie les @AllBlacks samedi à Wellington pour un 2e test match en #TerreDeLégende. Voici la composition des Bleus 👇🏻#NZLFRA #soutiensleXV pic.twitter.com/DjXOWzSqwq
— FF Rugby (@FFRugby) June 13, 2018
The experienced Fofana, whose last Test was in November 2016, has trained freely with the squad this week after missing the first Test in Auckland last weekend because of injury.
But Brunel has retained Geoffrey Doumayrou to partner captain Mathieu Bastareaud in the centres.
Galletier and Babillot were late arrivals in New Zealand after playing in the Top 14 final between Castres and Montpellier two weeks ago along with Fall who starts at fullback.
France: 15 Benjamin Fall, 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud (captain), 12 Geoffrey Doumayrou, 11 Gael Fickou, 10 Anthony Belleau, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Kelian Gourdon, 7 Kélian Galletier, 6 Mathieu Babillot, 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Bernard Le Roux, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Camille Chat, 1 Dany Priso
Replacements: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Cedate Gomes Sa, 19 Paul Gabrillagues, 20 Alexandre Lapandry, 21 Baptiste Serin, 22 Jules Plisson, 23 Maxime Médard
Date: Saturday, June 16
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT, 09.35 France time)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant referees: John Lacey (Ireland), Luke Pearce (England)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
https://youtu.be/d1-D4sGt1Zs
