France bank on Trinh-Duc's experience
Lionel Beauxis drops to the bench at the Stade de France on Saturday against the reigning champions having started France's last two matches – a 26-32 defeat to Scotland and 34-17 win over Italy.
Trinh-Duc had originally been left out of Brunel's Six Nations squad but an injury to teenager Matthieu Jalibert in their opening 13-15 defeat to Ireland and the suspension of Anthony Belleau following a controversial night out in Edinburgh after the Scotland defeat saw the 31-year-old recalled to the bench two weeks ago against Italy in Marseille.
Toulon No.10 Trinh-Duc, who has 64 France caps, was given only 10 minutes against Italy, kicking a conversion three minutes after entering the field.
His last start in a France shirt came in November's infamous 23-23 draw at home to Japan – a humiliating result for a country with France's proud rugby history.
France: 15 Hugo Bonneval, 14 Benjamin Fall, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Geoffrey Doumayrou, 11 Remy Grosso, 10 Francois Trinh-Duc, 9 Maxime Machenaud, 8 Marco Tauleigne, 7 Yacouba Camara, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 4 Paul Gabrillagues, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Guilhelm Guirado (captain), 1 Jefferson Poirot.
Replacements: 16 Adrien Pelisse, 17 Dany Priso, 18 Cedate Gomes Sa, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Kelian Galletier, 21 Baptiste Couilloud, 22 Lionel Beauxis, 23 Gael Fickou.
Date: Saturday, March 10
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 17.45 (16.45 GMT; 16.45 UK & Ireland Time)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
Agence France-Presse
