Jacques Brunel has made six changes to France’s starting lineup for Sunday’s Six Nations Test against England at Twickenham.
Following France’s shocking 24-19 defeat against Wales, Brunel has wielded the axe.
Gael Fickou replaces Maxine Medard in the side, but the former will play on the wing, with Yoann Huget shifting to fullback. There is also a new centre pairing in the form of Mathieu Bastareaud and Geoffrey Doumayrou, who come in for Wesley Fofana and Romain Ntamack respectively.
Up front, flank Yacouba Camara slots straight into the run-on XV at the expense of Wenceslas Lauret, Félix Lambey takes over from Paul Willemse at No 5 lock, and 20-year-old Demba Bamba will start at tighthead prop.
The new inclusions on the bench are hooker Pierre Bourgarit, prop Dorian Aldegheri, scrumhalf Antoine Dupont and utility back Thomas Ramos.
France – 15 Yoann Huget, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Geoffrey Doumayrou, 11 Gael Fickou, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Arthur Iturria, 6 Yacouba Camara, 5 Félix Lambey, 4 Sébastien Vahaamahina, 3 Demba Bamba, 2 Guilhelm Guirado, 1 Jefferson Poirot.
Subs: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Dany Priso, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Paul Willemse, 20 Gregory Alldritt, 21 Antoine Dupont, 22 Romain Ntamack, 23 Thomas Ramos.
Photo: Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images
