1
France put faith in Serin for England clash
By Peter Thompson
Baptiste Serin has been preferred to Maxime Machenaud in France's starting line-up to face England in the Six Nations on Saturday and Gael Fickou also comes into the side.
Bordeaux Begles scrum-half Serin, 22, will make only his third start for Les Bleus against the defending champions, with the experienced Machenaud named among the replacements along with the versatile Jean-Marc Doussain.
Serin will be expected to get injury-hit France ticking at Twickenham along with Camille Lopez, who starts at fly-half.
There is no place in the squad for Mathieu Bastareaud after head coach Guy Noves went with the flair of Fickou as a replacement for Wesley Fofana, who will play no part in the tournament after rupturing his Achilles.
Uncapped Clermont Auvergne lock Arthur Iturria is set to make his debut from the bench.
France team: Scott Spedding, Noa Nakaitaci, Gael Fickou, Remi Lamerat, Virimi Vakatawa, Camille Lopez, Baptiste Serin; Cyril Baille, Guilhem Guirado (captain), Uini Atonio, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Yoann Maestri, Damien Chouly, Kevin Gourdon, Louis Picamoles.
Replacements: Clement Maynadier, Xavier Chiocci, Rabah Slimani, Arthur Iturria, Loann Goujon, Maxime Machenaud, Yoann Huget, Jean-Marc Doussain.
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Sixways statement: Financial collapse of Worcester owners Atlas
3
Fissler Confidential: Radwan eyed to replace exit-bound England wing
4
The simple way to prove Boks also hold the 'unofficial world title'
5
Latest Comments
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
Go to comments