Laporte shakes up Les Bleus

France coach Bernard Laporte has rung the changes for Friday night’s World Cup bronze medal match against Argentina in Paris.

Only six players remain from the side beaten 14-9 by England in the semi-final last Saturday.

Damien Traille, who switches from full-back to centre, scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, hooker Raphael Ibanez, prop Pieter de Villiers, lock Jerome Thion and flanker Thierry Dusautoir are retained.

Elsewhere, there are opportunities for the likes of wing Aurelien Rougerie, prop Jean-Baptiste Poux and lock Lionel Nallet, who replaces an injured Fabien Pelous.

The game, which will be played at Parc des Princes, is a repeat of the tournament’s opening match last month, which Argentina won 17-12.

Team: C Poitrenaud; A Rougerie, D Skrela, D Traille, C Dominici; F Michalak, J-B Elissalde, J-B Poux, R Ibanez (capt), P de Villiers, L Nallet, J Thion, Y Nyanga, T Dusautoir, I Harinordoquy.

Replacements: S Bruno, N Mas, S Chabal, R Martin, P Mignoni, L Beauxis, V Clerc.