RUGBY TEST MATCH:A MOUNTING casualty list and the prospect of a third gruelling match in as many weeks has prompted France to make wholesale changes for Saturday's one-off Test against Australia at Sydney's Olympic stadium.
Five French players have already been sent home after suffering injuries in the drawn two-Test series against New Zealand, forcing the selectors to choose a new look side.
Coach Marc Lievremont yesterday announced seven personnel changes as well as positional changes in the backline but delayed picking his bench until tomorrow.
The most notable changes come in the halfbacks. Outhalf Lionel Beauxis replaces Francois Trinh-Duc, while scrumhalf Dimitri Yachvili has been called in for Julien Dupuy.
“For two years we’ve been looking for a number nine and a number 10,” Lievremont said. “It’s been very difficult to find one so that’s why we used several number 10s and number nines.
“Nothing has been decided yet. Even after this tour we are not sure we have found our two players.”
Florian Fritz starts at outside centre with wing Vincent Clerc dropping out, prompting a reshuffle of the outside backs.
Damien Traille moves from inside centre to fullback, Maxime Medard switches from fullback to wing and Maxime Mermoz changes from outside centre to inside centre.
Julien Puricelli replace the injured Louis Picamoles at number eight while lock Pascal Pape is in for Sebastien Chaba.
Sylvain Marconnet is named at tighthead prop for Nicolas Mas while Dimitri Szarzewski replaces William Servat at hooker.
Australia are at full strength after fielding an experimental side against Italy last weekend.
FRANCE (v Australia):Traille; Medard, Fritz, Mermoz, Heymans; Beauxis, Yachvili; Barcella, Szarzewski, Marconnet, Pape, Millo-Chluski, Dusautoir (capt), Ouedraogo, Puricelli.
