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France ring changes for All Blacks Test

19th June, 2013
9

France have changed more than half their starting side as they look to avoid a series whitewash in the third and final rugby Test against the All Blacks in New Plymouth.

Two of the changes have been forced, with the experienced pair of five-eighth Frederic Michalak and No.8 Louis Picamoles picking up tour-ending injuries in the 30-0 second Test defeat in Christchurch.

Their replacements are Remi Tales, who made his debut off the bench in that match, and South Africa-born Antonie Claassen.

Coach Philippe Saint-Andre has opted to make six other changes.

Among them are the inclusion of Brice Dulin and Marc Andreu at fullback and right wing.

Halfback Jean-Marc Doussain, whose one previous cap before the tour was as a substitute in the 2011 World Cup final, gets the No.9 jersey.

Damien Chouly, a tour replacement for first Test casualty Fulgence Ouedraogo, will be the starting openside flanker.

Alexandre Flanquart has been elevated to starting lock after getting his debut cap off the bench in the opening Test, but sitting out the second.

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There is also a change at hooker, with Benjamin Kayser coming in for Dimitri Szarzewski, who goes to the reserves.

France: Brice Dulin, Marc Andreu, Florian Fritz, Wesley Fofana, Yohann Huget, Remi Tales, Jean Marc Doussain, Antonie Claassen, Damien Chouly, Thierry Dusautoir (capt), Yoann Maestri, Alexandre Flanquart, Nicolas Mas, Benjamin Kayser, Thomas Domingo. Reserves: Dimitri Szarzewski, Eddy Ben Arous, Luc Ducalon, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Bernard le Roux, Maxime Machenaud, Camille Lopez, Mathieu Bastareaud.

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