France 34 Fiji 12:FRANCE COACH Marc Lievremont named an experienced squad yesterday to face Argentina in Montpellier next weekend after an experimental side beat Fiji 34-12 on Saturday.
Back are captain Thierry Dusautoir, centre and backline playmaker Yannick Jauzion, tighthead prop Nicolas Mas, lock Lionel Nallet and flanker Julien Bonnaire.
Lievremont also recalled regular hooker William Servat, who was ruled out of the Fiji game through a groin injury.
“We went for a more experienced team because the Pumas will be far more difficult to play,” Lievremont told a press conference.
“It’s also a more revengeful squad because there are a lot of players who have suffered against the Pumas,” he added, referring to France’s two defeats against Argentina in the 2007 World Cup and their 41-13 thrashing in Buenos Aires last June.
Hooker Benjamin Noirot, lock Romain Millo-Chluski, flankers Fulgence Ouedraogo and Alexandre Lapandry, centre David Marty, wingers Maxime Medard and Julien Arias and outhalf David Skrela drop out of the squad for next week’s game.
The French coach said he had not learned much from the Fiji win because of the dreadful weather conditions but two players took the opportunity he had given them to prove their worth.
Centre Fabrice Estebanez, who was playing his first international on Saturday, pipped Skrela as replacement outhalf and Jerome Porical pinched Medard’s berth in the back three.
“Estebanez is an interesting option at first centre alongside Jauzion and (injured) Maxime Mermoz but he can also cover the flyhalf position,” Lievremont said.
The French scored three tries through centre David Marty and winger Maxime Medard plus a penalty try.
Dimitri Yachvili kicked 19 points in a game played in driving rain.
Fiji responded with four penalties by outhalf Seremaia Bai but never threatened to upset the Six Nations grand slam champions.
FRANCE: Porical; Arias, Marty, Estebanez, Medard; Traille, Yachvili; Schuster, Guirado, Ducalcon, Millo-Chuski, Thion, Ouedraogo, Lapandry, Harinordoquy. Replacements: Noirot for Guirado (56 mins), Chabal for Harinordoquy (56 mins), Skrela for Traille (68 mins), Pierre for Millo-Chluski (68 mins), Palisson for Medard (76 mins).
FIJI: Ligairi; Naqelevuki, Vulivuli, Rabeni, Nalaga; Bai, Kenatale; Manu Lewaravu, Qovu, Naevo, Qera, Koyamaibole, Talemaitoga, Dewes. Replacements: Lovobalavu for Naqelevuki (58 mins), Matavesi for Ligairi (68 mins), Ravulo for Qera (68 mins), Kalou for Lewaravu (71 mins), Somoca for Talemaitoga (71 mins), Taka for Kenatale (76 mins).
Referee: Andrew Small(England)
