Laporte rings the changes
A hat-trick of tries against Fiji was not enough for exciting centre Yannick Jauzion to keep his place in the France side for Saturday’s game against Japan.
Jauzion will start from the bench after French coach Bernard Laporte opted to partner Damien Traille with Tony Marsh in the centres, one of six changes to the side that beat the Pacific Islanders 61-18.
Five of the bench from last Saturday’s game have been promoted into the starting XV, including vice-captain Olivier Brouzet, hooker Yannick Bru, prop Olivier Milloud and number eight Pepito Labit, who replaces Imanol Harinordoquy.
In the backs, Traille will start at inside centre while exciting youngster Clement Poitrenaud gets a run at full-back ahead of Nicolas Brusque, who drops out of the 22.
Aurelien Rougerie, who was replaced by Pepito Elhorga early in the second half, gets another run on the wing against a Japanese back division that provided Scotland with a stern test in their opening game.
Laporte has stuck with his half-back pairing of fly-half Frederic Michalak and captain Fabien Galthie, insisting there was no risk in playing the side’s 34-year-old talisman.
“If you fear injury, stay home,” he said.
France team to play Japan on Saturday is: C Poitrenaud; A Rougerie, T Marsh, D Traille, C Dominici; F Michalak, F Galthie (captain); O Milloud, Y Bru, JB Poux, F Pelous, O Brouzet, S Betsen, O Magne, C Labit.
Replacements: R Ibanez, JJ Crenca, D Auradou, S Chabal, G Merceron, Y Jauzion, P Elhorga.
