France v Fiji: Teams
Marc Lievremont has named an experimental Frane team to start their November Test schedule against Fiji.
Last Updated: 12/11/10 4:01pm
France start their November Test schedule against Fiji in Nantes on Saturday but the critics are already out due to Marc Lievremont's team selection.
Instead of fine tuning the side that took them to a Grand Slam earlier this year, Lievremont has named an experimental line-up featuring a number of new faces, with no fewer than fourteen changes to the side that ended the Six Nations.
Less than a year out from the World Cup, Lievremont has come under fire for calling up new players and trying to teach others a lesson by dropping them.
Against a Fiji side full of attacking potential in the backs, France will look to dominate up front, especially considering that heavy rain is expected in the West of France.
Les Bleus will line-up a front row with a grand total of six caps though - all of which came off the bench, but despite their inexperience a lot is expected of the promising Jerome Schuster, Guilhem Guirado and Luc Ducalcon.
Fiji squad
Nine of Fiji's 30-man squad play in France. Despite their familiarity with many of the individuals, the French have admitted that the Islanders' unpredictability will be the biggest threat.
With nothing to lose, the visitors - who have happy memories of Nantes having upset Wales there in the 2007 World Cup to advance to the quarter-finals - will play their usual brand of high-thrills rugby.
Biarritz stalwart and number eight Imanol Harinordoquy is the only French survivor from the team that beat England to seal the Grand Slam back in March. He captains the side while Thierry Dusautoir is given a rest.
Fellow Biarritz duo Dimitri Yachvili and Damien Traille are paired together at half back, with Traille starting at fly-half for the first time in four years.
France: 15 Jerome Porical, 14 Julien Arias, 13 David Marty, 12 Fabrice Estebanez, 11 Maxime Medard, 10 Damien Traille, 9 Dimitri Yachvili, 8 Imanol Harinordoquy (c), 7 Alexandre Lapandry, 6 Fulgence Ouedraogo, 5 Jerome Thion, 4 Romain Millo-Chluski, 3 Luc Ducalcon, 2 Guilhem Guirado, 1 Jerome Schuster
Replacements: 16 Benjamin Noirot, 17 Thomas Domingo, 18 Julien Pierre, 19 Sebastien Chabal, 20 Morgan Parra, 21 David Skrela, 22 Alexis Palisson, 23 Nicolas Mas.
Fiji (Probable):15 Norman Ligairi, 14 Sereli Nakelevuqi, 13 Albert Vulivuli, 12 Seru Rabeni, 11 Napolioni Nalaga, 10 Seremaia Baï, 9 Nemia Kenatale, 8 Sisa Koyamaibole, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Semisi Naevo, 5 Jone Qovu, 4 Wame Lewaravu, 3 Deacon Manu (cap), 2 Tuapati Talemaitoga, 1 Graham Dewes
Replacements: 16 Setefano Somoca, 17 Viliame Veikoso, 18 Sekonaia Kalou, 19 Malakai Ravulo, 20 Seveci Taka, 21 Josh Matavesi, 22 Gabriele Lovobalavu
Date: Saturday, November 13
Venue: Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
Weather: 14°C Heavy rain
Kick-off: 18:00 (17:00 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Small (England)
Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), James Jones (Wales)
Television match official: Carlo Damasco (Italy)