FRANCE HEAD COACH Philippe Saint-André has picked a halfback pairing of Camille Lopez and Rory Kockott for his side’s opening Six Nations fixture against Scotland on Saturday [KO 17.00 Irish time].
The former Toulon and Gloucester coach has largely opted for the XV that was expected, although veteran tighthead prop Nicolas Mas surprisingly misses out on the match day squad altogether.
Clermont’s Wesley Fofana and Mathieu Bastareaud of Toulon form a dangerous midfield partnership, while 21-year-old wing Teddy Thomas is back in the team after scoring four tries in his first two caps last November.
Scott Spedding – who will join Clermont from Bayonne next season – continues at fullback, while Toulouse’s Yoann Huget is selected on the right wing.
In the back row, the injury-enforced absence of Louis Picamoles means Clermont’s Damien Chouly starts in between captain Thierry Dusautoir and the impressively in-form Racing Métro flanker Bernard le Roux.
Yoann Maestri and Pascal Papé retain their second row spots, while Rabah Slimani, Guilhem Guirado and Alexandre Menini form the front row.
Among the replacements are 150kg prop Uini Atonio and uncapped number eight Loann Goujon, who are both currently on the books at La Rochelle.
France XV to play Scotland:
15. Scott Spedding
14. Yoann Huget
13. Mathieu Bastareaud
12. Wesley Fofana
11. Teddy Thomas
10. Camille Lopez
9. Rory Kockott
1. Alexandre Menini
2. Guilhem Guirado
3. Rabah Slimani
4. Pascal Papé
5. Yoann Maestri
6. Thierry Dusautoir (captain)
7. Bernard Le Roux
8. Damien Chouly
Replacements:
16. Benjamin Kayser
17. Uini Atonio
18. Eddy Ben Arous
19. Romain Taofifenua
20. Loann Goujon
21. Morgan Parra
22. Rémi Tales
23. Rémi Lamerat
This could turn out to be one of the best title races in years. No team as of yet have looked a class above the rest. All of the “big” teams have lost to “small” clubs so far.
Allthough the quality is down from other years this could be the closest race for years. Fingers crossed.
As for my own club (Man United) all I can say is at least we got the 3 points. Still alot of very poor preformances from some of the experienced lads on the squad. Wouldnt say I am happy but lets hopd they improve comming up to the christmas period (apologies for using the C word in October)
Liverpool flying Sturridge is on fire & Suarez is the best player in the league……
No team looks really good so far, Arsenal weren’t great today & not one team look like they have a good defence
United??? Shite rolls down hills
Bit harsh ruling Everton out of the top four race just because they lost to City. Could’ve easily drawn the game, Zabaleta’s dive got City a peno and Lukaku should have had a peno up the other end.
Everton lose 3-1. United 4-1. Yet you’ll write off Everton who beat Chelsea. Which united couldnt do. Bit harsh.
Yeah seems harsh alright. Not many teams will go to Man City this season and come away with a win…. Also considering that Everton’s squad cost as much as City’s most expensive striker’s weekly wage, they didn’t do too badly! ;-)
Surely he is only saying what everyone is thinking?
Why do some people like giving out for the sake of giving out!
I think you’re giving out for the sake of giving out!
Thanks for your lack of analysis beep beep. Most open league in years. United will be there for top four.