Laporte rings the changes

France coach Bernard Laporte has been forced into a number of changes for next weekend’s RBS 6 Nations showdown with England at Twickenham.

Laporte, whose side were pushed to the limit by Scotland before scraping a 16-9 victory at the Stade de France in Saturday’s opener, has lost Ludovic Valbon (back), Pieter de Villiers (shoulder) and Aurelien Rougerie (face) to injury while Patrick Tabacco has been dropped to the A team.

In their place comes experienced flanker Serge Betsen, Biarritz winger Jimmy Marlu, Perpignan prop Nicolas Mas, and 22-year-old Perpignan centre Jean-Philippe Granclaude, who earns his first call-up.

France squad to play England at Twickenham on Sunday, February 13:

Forwards - N Mas (Perpignan), S Marconnet (Stade Francais), O Milloud (Bourgoin), S Bruno (Sale), W Servat (Toulouse), G Lamboley (Toulouse), F Pelous (Toulouse, capt), J Thion (Biarritz), S Betsen (Biarritz), J Bonnaire (Bourgoin), S Chabal (Sale), Y Nyanga (Beziers).

Backs – P Mignoni (Clermont Auvergne), D Yachvili (Biarritz), Y Delaigue (Castres), F Michalak (Toulouse), J-P Granclaude (Perpignan), B Liebenberg (Stade Francais), D Traille (Biarritz), C Dominici (Stade Francais), J Marlu (Biarritz), P Elhorga (Agen).