France ring changes for second England game

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre on Thursday made 12 changes to his starting lineup for the second of two World Cup warmup games against England at the Stade de France on Saturday.

The French lost 19-14 to Stuart Lancaster's men at Twickenham last Saturday and Saint-Andre is keen to cast an eye over all of his players before cutting back his squad from 36 to 31 on Sunday.

Notably, he has linked up Frederic Michalak with Sebastien Tillous-Borde at half-back, giving both Toulon veterans a chance to state their claims for World Cup squad slots.

"They are used to playing together and I expect them to get the team playing just as well as Morgan (Parra) and Francois (Trinh Duc) did last week," said Sant-Andre.

"Saturday's match will be even more intense than last week."

Also brought back into the starting line-up are first choice centres Mathieu Bastareaud and Wesley Fofana, who take over from Rémi Lamerat and Alexandre Dumoulin, who both struggled against the English.

Scott Spedding stays on at full-back with Yoann Huget and Noa Nakaitaci completing the back three.

Thierry Dusautoir is rested after sustaining a knee injury and is replaced as skipper by lock Pascal Pape, who is back to full fitness after a thigh strain.

France XV to play England in a World Cup warmup match at Stade de France on Saturday:   

Scott Spedding; Yoann Huget, Mathieu Bastareaud, Wesley Fofana, Noa Nakaitaci; Frederic Michalak, Sebastien Tillous-Borde; Louis Picamoles, Bernard Le Roux, Damien Chouly; Yoann Maestri, Pascal Pape (capt); Rabah Slimani, Guilhem Guirado, Eddy Ben Arous

Replacements

Benjamin Kayser, Vincent Debaty, Uini Atonio, Alexandre Flanquart, Yannick Nyanga, Rory Kockott, Remi Tales, Gael Fickou.
Source: AFP