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France make 11 changes to their team to face the Wallabies
By Liam Heagney
France boss Fabien Galthie has named his team to host Australia this Saturday in Paris, the first outing for the 2022 Grand Slam champions since their July 9 series-clinching 20-15 win over Japan in Tokyo. That game 17 weeks ago turned out to be the last match ever played by the now-retired midfielder Virimi Vakatawa and Les Bleus now return to the field with an XV showing eleven changes from their last outing.
Second row Thibaud Flament, back-rower Charles Ollivon, versatile back Yoram Moefana - who started in July in midfield but will now play on the left wing - and right wing Damian Penaud are the four repeat picks from four months ago.
France have restored numerous familiar faces to their team, such as half-backs Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack while Gael Fickou will fill the No13 jersey vacated by the sadly retired Vakatawa.
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I guess the other option would be to start ALB, he's looked good in the 12 so far when he starts and sets up those outside him. But that would mean putting the vice captain on the bench, which is unlikely. Another option would be to drop Reiko to the bench and play Proctor, though he's gone home so that's not going to happen either.
Both of those players just offer more of the soft distribution skills good centres learn from playing their careers there. Unfortunately that's what's lacking with the current combo.
Go to commentsWhatever let's see if this load of waffle is still valid in 2 years time. ABs will rise we have a lot of new talent coming through. The NPC was the highest standard for years. The game is changing to suit the fast pace we like to play. We get to play the Springboks more, including the franchises, which will make us better! Overall I am optimistic. I will add having watched the England game multiple times we made most of the play. England are an awesome physical team, but you can expect the All Blacks to get better and better at executing the chances. It could easily have been 5 tries to one instead of 3 to 1.
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