Five changes for Les Bleus

Published: Thursday, 15. March, 2012 in category France
Fritz: Will start in the centres against Wales

With Les Bleus now out of the running for the title, Saint-Andre has opted to freshen up his starting XV to face the Grand Slam-chasing Welsh.

Florian Fritz, Alexis Palisson, and Dimitri Yachvili come into the back division, while David Attoub and William Servat have been added to the pack.

The inclusion of Fritz in the centres means Wesley Fofana moves to the win in place of the injured Vincent Clerc, while Palisson replaces the axed Julien Malzieu.

Julian Dupuy has also been dropped completely, with Yachvili returning to the No 9 jersey and Morgan Parra providing cover on the bench.

Attoub and Servat will team up in the front row, with Dimitri Szarzewski dropping to the bench and Nicolas Mas omitted from the squad.

With Lionel Nallet retiring, Julien Pierre comes on to the bench - with full-back Jean-Marcellin Buttin poised to make his debut.

France: 15 Clement Poitrenaud, 14 Wesley Fofana, 13 Aurelien Rougerie, 12 Florian Fritz, 11 Alexis Palisson, 10 Lionel Beauxis, 9 Dimitri Yachvili, 8 Imanol Harinordoquy, 7 Julien Bonnaire, 6 Thierry Dusautoir (captain), 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Pascal Pape, 3 David Attoub, 2 William Servat, 1 Jean-Baptiste Poux.Replacements: 16 Dimitri Szarzewski, 17 Vincent Debaty, 18 Julien Pierre, 19 Louis Picamoles, 20 Morgan Parra, 21 Franois Trinh-Duc, 22 Jean-Marcellin Buttin.