No changes for France after dour draw
France are to keep faith with the same squad for their next Six Nations match with England, after this weekend’s battling draw against Ireland, coach Philippe Saint-Andre said on Monday.
Saint-Andre announced an unchanged 23-man squad to the one picked for Sunday’s rescheduled match at the Stade de France, describing the game as their “most successful” of the tournament after coming back from a first-half deficit to 17-17.
The French decided not to recall Biarritz scrumhalf Dimitri Yachvili, who suffered a back problem early last month but has since shined in his return to club rugby.
The starting XV will be announced on Wednesday.
Sunday’s draw still leaves France in the running to win the tournament.
After the England match, the team plays Wales, who are the only country on course to win the Grand Slam.
France squad:
Forwards: Jean-Baptiste Poux, Nicolas Mas, Vincent Debaty, David Attoub, Dimitri Szarzewski, William Servat, Pascal Pape, Yoann Maestri, Lionel Nallet, Thierry Dusautoir (captain), Julien Bonnaire, Imanol Harinordoquy, Louis Picamoles.
Backs: Morgan Parra, Julien Dupuy, François Trinh-Duc, Lionel Beauxis, Wesley Fofana, Aurelien Rougerie, Maxime Mermoz, Vincent Clerc, Julien Malzieu, Clément Poitrenaud.
Date: Sunday, March 11
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 GMT)
Referee: Alain Rolland
AFP
