Jules Plisson recalled as France make three changes for South Africa Test
Thursday 29 June 2017 00:23, UK
France have recalled fly-half Jules Plisson as one of three changes for Saturday's third and final Test against South Africa in Johannesburg.
Dropped after the first Test loss, Plisson replaces Francois Trinh-Duc and partners scrum-half Baptiste Serin for the just the second time.
"Why this change? Why not," said France coach Guy Noves.
"We saw a little bit of everyone, some more than others, and we think it is the right change at the moment."
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Another change sees Brice Dulin, axed after the 37-14 first Test defeat in Pretoria, return at full-back in place of South Africa-born Scott Spedding.
Completing the changes to the starting side is the inclusion of Bordeaux-Begles' Nans Ducuing on the right wing.
He takes over from Yoann Huget, who suffered concussion during the second Test last Saturday.
"His performance convinced me," said Noves, referring to how Ducuing fared when he replaced Huget early on in the 37-15 defeat in Durban.
"When a player stands in opposition to a 130-kilogram player, risking his health and finishing in a wheelchair, I am not certain that one of us, including myself, would have tried to stop him.
"This state of mind pleased me."
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The pack which started in Durban, including skipper and hooker Guilhem Guirado, has been given a vote of confidence.
Louis Picamoles, who was forced to retire injured last weekend during the opening half, has recovered and continues at No 8.
Noves said he favoured continuity as Les Bleus seek to avoid a series whitewash.
"After the first two Tests, we were able to evaluate a little the state of the damage," he said.
"Looking at the third Test, it will be interesting to see if the work of three to four weeks will bring something."
France: 15 Brice Dulin, 14 Nans Ducuing, 13 Damian Penaud, 12 Gael Fickou, 11 Virimi Vakatawa, 10 Jules Plisson, 9 Baptiste Serin; 1 Jefferson Poirot, Guilhem Guirado (c), 3 Rabah Slimani, 4 Yoann Maestri, 5 Romain Taofifenua, 6 Yacouba Camara, 7 Kevin Gourdon, 8 Louis Picamoles.
Replacements: 16 Clement Maynadier, 17 Xavier Chiocci, 18 Uini Atonio, 19 Paul Jedrasiak, 20 Loann Goujon, 21 Maxime Machenaud, 22 Francois Trinh-Duc, 23 Vincent Rattez.
