Second cap for Yann David

Yann David will earn just his second cap for France in Friday’s Test against world champions South Africa.

Coach Marc Lievremont today opted to name 21-year-old David, who earned his only other cap against Italy last year, at centre rather than uniting Perpignan team-mates Maxime Mermoz and David Marty, who was named among the replacements.

Lievremont said: “We made a choice between the understanding of Maxime Mermoz and David Marty, and the explosiveness and strength of Yann David.

“We chose to go with those qualities. We wanted robustness in the midfield - that’s important against South Africa.”