France make two changes as Italy alter front row for Rugby World Cup clash

INJURY COVER: France's Maxime Lucu, centre, passes the ball. Pic: AP Photo/Thibault Camus

France has made only two changes for the Rugby World Cup match against Italy on Friday, when Les Bleus will seek to top Pool A with a fourth straight win.

One of the changes is enforced by star scrumhalf Antione Dupont’s serious facial injury in the 96-0 rout against Namibia two weeks ago.

Maxime Lucu starts in his place and Gregory Alldritt comes back in at No. 8. Anthony Jelonch switches to flanker and takes the spot of Francois Cros, who is among the reserves in place of Paul Boudehunt.

Flanker Charles Ollivon will captain the team in Dupont’s absence, taking the armband for the 14th time in his career.

Boudehunt drops out of the squad but the replacements remain otherwise unchanged with Baptiste Couilloud offering cover at scrumhalf, Yoram Moefana at center or winger, and Melvyn Jaminet at fullback.

Dupont rejoined the squad on Sunday, 10 days after surgery to repair a facial fracture sustained in an illegal head-on-head tackle against Namibia. Widely considered the world’s best player, Dupont is training lightly with major hurdles still to clear before he can possibly play again at the tournament.

Right winger Damian Penaud is on a six-game try-scoring streak and has 33 tries overall for France. Only Vincent Clerc (34) and Serge Blanco (38) have more.

Meanwhile, Italy has changed the front row and switched its best backs around after being blown away by New Zealand.

Props Simone Ferrari and Pietro Ceccarelli and hooker Epalahame Faiva will take on the French in Lyon, where Italy must win to stand a chance of reaching the quarterfinals.

Niccolo Cannone returns to lock alongside Federico Ruzza following the 96-17 hammering by the All Blacks. Ferrari wins his 50th test cap.

In the backs, Pierre Bruno starts on the right wing as the fifth team change after coming off the bench in the 52-8 win against Namibia.

Coach Kieran Crowley tinkered with his star backs again, with Tommaso Allan moving back to flyhalf after starting at fullback against New Zealand.

Paolo Garbisi is back at inside center from No. 10, while Ange Capuozzo returns to fullback after playing three of his past four tests on the right wing.

France: T Ramos; D Penaud, G Fickou, J Danty, L Bielle-Biarrey; M Jalibert, M Lucu; C Baille, P Mauvaka, U Atonio; C Woki, T Flament; A Jelonch, C Ollivon, G Alldritt.

Replacements: P Bourgarit, R Wardi, D Aldegheri, R Taofifenua, F Cros, B Couilloud, Y Moefana, M Jaminet.

Italy: A Capuozzo; P Bruno, J I Brex, P Garbisi, M Ioane; T Allan, S Varney; S Ferrari, H Faiva, P Ceccarelli; N Cannone, D Ruzza; S Negri, M Lamaro, L Cannone.

Replacements: M Manfredi, F Zani, M Riccioni, D Sisi, M Zuliani, A Fusco, L Morisi, L Pani.