France field experimental side

There was an experimental feel to France’s team for their 2007 RBS 6 Nations Championship opener against Italy at a sun-kissed Stadio Flaminio today.

With the World Cup in mind, and a clutch of regulars including captain Fabien Pelous and fly-half Frederic Michalak out injured, head coach Bernard Laporte opted to give some of his squad’s fringe players a chance to impress as the holders launched their title defence.