France make wholesale changes

FRANCE have made wholesale changes to their starting line-up for today’s Test against England as they look to complete a cross-channel double over the world champions in the space of a week.

There are eight new faces compared to the XV that claimed a smash-and-grab 21-15 victory at Twickenham last Saturday in the first match of the double-header.

Frederic Michalak and Jean-Baptiste Elissalde form an all-new half-back pairing while the back row is completely dismantled, with Yannick Nyanga, Thierry Dusautoir and Imanol Harinordoquy earning starts.

The other changes for the clash in Marseille see Yannick Jauzion come in at centre – as a replacement for David Marty – after recovering from a back problem, while experienced duo Cedric Heymans and Christophe Dominici are named on the wings.

They replace Aurelien Rougerie, who is on the bench, and Vincent Clerc, who picked up a knock last weekend and did not make the 22 for the rematch.

Fabien Pelous retains his place in the second row alongside Jerome Thion and will make his 112th Les Bleus appearance, breaking the national record currently held by the great Philippe Sella.

Arguably the most interesting change has come among the half-backs, with Michalak and Elissalde given the chance to nail down starting places for the World Cup, which begins on September 7 when France take on Argentina.

David Skrela and Pierre Mignoni excelled in the RBS 6 Nations Championship and started against England last weekend.

But they know strong performances from Michalak and Elissalde, both favourites of head coach Bernard Laporte, could sway selectors’ thinking ahead of next month’s showpiece.

After a brief appearance off the bench last Saturday, Michalak – one of nine Toulouse players in Les Bleus’ starting XV this weekend – feels he is back where he belongs after finally recovering from a string of injuries that have sidelined him for more than a year.

“I think I need to play, to touch the ball,” said the fit-again fly-half, whose last start for his country came against Wales in March 2006.

“It is really on the pitch where you take most pleasure in rugby. Training is fine, but being on the pitch is the most important thing.

“I have hardly played since my knee injury (sustained in November last year) and I have to find my game.

“But I am confident in this team and am confident about my abilities. I feel good physically and I have nothing to prove.”

Unlike four years ago in Australia, Michalak, 24, is no longer the stand-out fly-half in France and is now battling with Skrela and Lionel Beauxis for the starting berth at number 10 in the World Cup.

This weekend’s match is France’s only home warm-up game before the World Cup.

They play Wales in Cardiff next Saturday in their final friendly before taking on Argentina less than a fortnight later.