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Four French changes for 2nd All Black Test

13th June, 2013
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France have made four changes to their starting 15 for the second Test against the All Blacks, among them the inclusion of the experienced Frederic Michalak at five-eighth.

Michalak, one of the late arrivals on tour because of his involvement in the French Top 14 final, came off the bench in the 23-13 first Test defeat in Auckland.

He will play his 66th Test when he runs out in Christchurch on Saturday night.

Also coming in are seasoned prop Nicolas Mas, rookie lock Christophe Samson and Test debutant Bernard Le Roux at openside flanker.

South African-born Le Roux replaces Fulgence Oeudraogo, whose tour was ended by an ankle injury in the opening Test.

Coach Philippe Saint-Andre has also chosen to swap roles for Maxime Medard and Yoann Huget.

Medard, who impressed at fullback in the 38-15 win against the Blues on Tuesday night, takes over the No.15 jersey, while Huget goes to the left wing.

There are also four changes on the bench, including a potential first Test cap for five-eighth Remi Tales.

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Powerhouse midfielder Mathieu Bastareaud, who sat out the first two tour fixtures, is over a thigh problem to get a spot among the reserves.

France: Maxime Medard, Adrien Plante, Florian Fritz, Wesley Fofana, Yoann Huget, Frederic Michalak, Maxime Machenaud, Louis Picamoles, Bernard Le Roux, Thierry Dusautoir (captain), Yoann Maestri, Christophe Samson, Nicolas Mas, Dimitri Szarzewski, Thomas Domingo.

Res: Benjamin Kayser, Vincent Debaty, Luc Ducalcon, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Yannick Nyanga, Brice Dulin, Remi Tales, Mathieu Bastareaud.

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