France V Fiji:FRANCE FLANKER Fulgence Ouedraogo insists no one in the Les Bleus camp will be underestimating the challenge of Fiji in Nantes today.

Marc Lievremont’s men open their autumn campaign at the Stade de la Beaujoire before clashes with Argentina and Australia over the next two weeks.

The home side will field a youthful 15, and Ouedraogo admits the French are expecting a difficult game. He said: “In rugby, there are no easy games. If you do not do the correct things you will always get punished. On paper, if you look at Argentina, Australia and Fiji, the Fiji team appear to be the weakest.

“But every player has his strengths and they will play on them. People say we may be caught out in this game, that it is a trap.

“But I don’t think so because we have been warned so know what to expect.”

Uncapped Perpignan prop Jerome Schuster and Brive’s Fabrice Estebanez have both been named in the starting 15, while Guilhem Guirado will get his first start after five substitute appearances. Luc Ducalcon, Julien Arias and Jerome Porical, who all have one previous cap each, are also in the side.

With regular captain Thierry Dusautoir not in the 22, number eight Imanol Harinordoquy will lead the team.

Damien Traille has been named at number 10 in place of the injured Francois Trinh-Duc and Jonathan Wisniewski.

Fiji’s preparations have been hampered by inclement weather in Nantes which has delayed their team announcement.

Nevertheless, whatever the 15 chosen, it is likely to include a large number of players who play their trade in France.

The visitors have good memories of Nantes having upset Wales there in the 2007 World Cup to advance to the quarter-finals. Always entertaining Ilie Tabua’s men will again look to play their traditional brand of attacking rugby.

FRANCE: J Porical; J Arias, D Marty, F Estebanez, M Medard; D Traille, D Yachvili; J Schuster, G Guirado, L Ducalcon, R Millo-Chluski, J Thion, F Ouedraogo, A Lapandry, I Harinordoquy (Capt). Replacements: B Noirot, T Domingo, J Pierre, S Chabal, M Parra, D Skrela, A Palisson, N Mas.

FIJI(Probable): N Ligairi; S Nakelevuqi, A Vulivuli, S Rabeni, N Nalaga; S Baï, N Kenatale; G Dewes, T Talemaitoga, D Manu (capt), W Lewaravu, J Qovu, S Naevo, A Qera, S Koyamaibole. Replacements: S Somoca, V Veikoso, S Kalou, M Ravulo, S Taka, J Matavesi, G Lovobalavu.