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France and Canada face off in a Pool D battle in Milton Keynes. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the 2015 Rugby World Cup from 5:00am (AEST).
French coach Philippe Saint-Andre has called for a big improvement from his side after back-to-back sub-par performances against both Italy and Romania as Les Blues look to take pole position in Pool D with a win over Canada.
France are two from two to start the tournament but head coach Saint-Andre was visibly furious during France’s laboured 38-11 win over Romania at the Olympic Stadium in London last week, with the former Toulon coach defending his half-time tirade claiming that it was all part of being a coach.
“A coach needs to be able to scream when needed, and to congratulate his players when things are going well,” said Saint-Andre after naming his side to play Canada.
“To be honest, I didn’t think about the fact that there may have been one or two cameras, apparently cameras are mandatory, so next time I’m getting upset, we’ll go under the showers!” added the former French captain.
Saint-Andre has made wholesale changes from France’s win over Romania introducing 12 new players into the starting XV with Brice Dulin, Wesley Fofana and Bernard Le Roux the lone survivors.
Rabah Slimani, Guilhem Guirado and Eddy Ben Arous come in to form an entirely new front row and they are joined in the tight five by Pascal Pape and Yoann Maestri who have both been recalled after starting against Italy.
Bernard Le Roux shifts from second-row to openside flanker and the Racing Metro backrower is joined in the backrow by Damien Chouly and captain Thierry Dusatoir.
Meanwhile in the backs, Toulon duo Sebastien Tillous-Borde and Frederic Michalak occupy the halves with Wesley Fofana and Mathieu Bastareaud playing outside them in the centres.
Brice Dulin shifts from full-back to wing for the second time under Saint-Andre, with Scott Spedding coming in at fullback and Remy Grosso receiving his first international start as the Castres winger replaces Sofiane Guitoune out wide.
France will need another bonus point win if they wish to keep the pressure on Pool D leaders Ireland, who defeated the Canadians 50-7 in their opening game in Cardiff two weeks ago, and fullback Spedding was full of praise for debutant Grosso and feels the Castres wideman has what it takes to be a difference maker for Les Blues.
“In the Top 14 last season, Remy was pretty much the best winger,” said Spedding of Grosso.
“He will be up for the challenge. He has waited for a long time, he really deserves his shot and I think he is going to take it.”
Meanwhile Canada are still in search of their first win of the tournament after going down in their opening two games to Ireland and Italy. The Canadians were easily beaten by Ireland but put in a much better performance against Italy and will consider themselves unlucky not to have got the win.
Canada have made six changes from the side that lost to Italy and although the personnel may have changed for Kieran Crowley’s side, the message remains firmly the same – win.
“We are here to win,” said Crowley ahead of Canada’s must win game.
“We are not here to play second fiddle. It is going to be a massive challenge for us. The French coach has said if they don’t make the final then it won’t have been a successful tournament for them. It is our job to make that happen.”
A bonus point win for France would put Les Blues four points clear of pool leaders Ireland, with Joe Schmidt’s side taking on Italy on Sunday, while if Canada can repeat their heroics of 21 years ago when they beat a Saint-Andre led side in Ottawa, then their World Cup dream will stay alive for another week.
Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of all the World Cup action from 5:00am (AEST).
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.