Michalak retained as France ring changes for Wallabies clash
Frederic Michalak was today retained at fly-half for France as coach Philippe Saint-Andre made several changes ahead of Saturday’s clash with Australia in Paris.
The Toulon number 10 lines-up alongside Maxime Machenaud in the half-backs with the Racing Metro scrum-half preferred to Morgan Parra, who missed a few days of training due to a thigh injury.
The pair also started together in Les Bleus’ last match – a 59-10 defeat of Argentina.
“We are happy with the pairing of Michalak and Machenaud and the fact Morgan was unable to train for three days made the choice simple,” Saint-Andre said at a press conference.
Wesley Fofana, who plays at centre for Clermont, got the nod on the wing with Saint-Andre adding: “Having seen what he has done with us in training we do not want to miss out on his quality and acceleration.”
Castres prop Yannick Forestier will make his Test debut having been named ahead of Thomas Domingo while, in the back row, Yannick Nyanga will play the role usually filled by absent skipper Thierry Dusauatoir.
The France team is: Brice Dulin; Wesley Fofana, Florian Fritz, Maxime Mermoz, Vincent Clerc; Frederic Michalak, Maxime Machenaud; Yannick Forestier, Dimitri Szarzewski, Nicolas Mas, Pascal Pape (captain), Yoann Maestri, Yannick Nyanga, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Louis Picamoles.
