JACQUES BRUNEL HAS handed Wesley Fofana a start in his final Six Nations appearance as one of six changes as France look to finish a disappointing campaign with victory over Italy on Saturday [KO 12.30pm, Virgin Media One].
France travel to Rome with one win from their four matches, seeking to put a 26-14 defeat to Ireland last time out swiftly behind them.
Brunel’s side sit second bottom in the table ahead of the final round but cannot be caught by Italy, who are yet to get off the mark.
Four of France’s changes come in the pack, as Etienne Falgoux replaces Jefferson Poirot in the front row, Paul Willemse is preferred at lock to Sebastien Vahaamahina, while Gregory Alldritt and Yacouba Camara come into the back row.
Maxime Medard will slot in at full-back in place of Thomas Ramos, while Brunel prefers Fofana — who announced plans in January to retire from international rugby after this year’s World Cup — at inside centre.
France go into the clash having won 17 of their 19 Six Nations matches against Italy, including a 40-17 victory on their last visit to Stadio Olimpico in 2017.
France (v Italy):
15. Maxime Medard (Toulouse)
14. Damian Penaud (Clermont Auvergne)
13. Mathieu Bastareaud (Toulon)
12. Wesley Fofana (Clermont Auvergne)
11. Yoann Huget (Toulouse)
10. Romain Ntamack (Toulouse)
9. Antoine Dupont (Toulouse)
1. Etienne Falgoux (Clermont Auvergne)
2. Guilhem Guirado (Toulon — captain)
3. Demba Bamba (Brive)
4. Felix Lambey (Lyon)
5. Paul Willemse (Montpellier)
6. Gregory Alldritt (La Rochelle)
7. Yacouba Camara (Montpellier)
8. Louis Picamoles (Montpellier)
Replacements:
16. Camille Chat (Racing 92)
17. Dany Priso (La Rochelle)
18. Dorian Aldegheri (Toulouse)
19. Paul Gabrillagues (Stade Francais)
20. Arthur Iturria (Clermont Auvergne)
21. Baptiste Serin (Bordeaux Bègles)
22. Camille Lopez (Clermont Auvergne)
23. Thomas Ramos (Toulouse)
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What would Calderon know ? . He said Zidane had rejected the offer last week ! Absolute chancer !
Zidane was blessed to have Ronaldo while manager. 99% of game’s were won by him alone over that 3 year success. Zidane won’t know how to rebuild that team to same nights. He needs to sort the Courtouis and wife issue first. Very messy and and unsightly affair all together. Zidane is a legend, Madrid are a toxic club.
@Virgil Van Rock: yawn … see you May 2020 ya mouth !
@Limón Madrugada: Watch out for the parasite Limon
@Limón Madrugada: surely you can get a room before then
@David Weston: surely you’ll find a better one liner by then
@Limón Madrugada: for you pair ?Nah that one is about right
@Limón Madrugada: Point proven Ronaldo drags Juve into last 8, just like last 3 year’s with Real, don’t know what the other guy is chomping at the bit for, parasite ??
@Virgil Van Rock: no ones denying Ronaldos effect . But your clinging to Courtois’ love life is tenuous . Maybe Liverpool should sign Ronaldo ..
@Virgil Van Rock: just wondering when you’ll change your identity , when Liverpool win … or when they lose … either way you’ll be someone else by next month
@Limón Madrugada: Lemon seriously would you Kop on you imbecile
100% spot on to not bring him. Legendary manager but think his time at the top is over the game has passed him by IMO. Be interesting to see him try and win a world cup with Portugal.
@Drew Walsh: Mourinho is a great manager for a tournament . But I think it’s not just a coincidence that why I try to type his name my spellcheck insists on correcting to ‘ mourning’
Would’ve been fun to see him there again
Who’d want to manage a guy like Ramos who cost his own team by cheating
@Martin Brennan: you do mean Sergio Ramos who has 4CL , 3 or 4 ligas , two euros , 1 World Cup 3 world club championships a couple of Copa del Reys ?? Nah he’s a loser
@Limón Madrugada: a drug cheating loser
@Getard Lanslanger: who happens to have loads of medals and no history of drugs , unlike for example Pep Guardiola …
Jose won’t get a massive job like that again. A talented manager but one who’s ego outgrew the talent, and ended up becoming an insufferable bore