France ring the changes for USA clash

TOKYO: Louis Picamoles will captain France for the first time tomorrow, leading out a much-changed French XV to play the United States in the Rugby World Cup’s “group of death”.

Coach Jacques Brunel has rotated his squad, making 12 changes to the team that pipped Argentina 23-21 as Les Bleus prepare for a potentially group-deciding “Le Crunch” against old enemies England on October 12 in Yokohama.

Only flanker Arthur Iturria, insidecentre Gael Fickou and winger Yoann Huget survive from the XV that beat the Pumas in the opening game, a win that put France in the Pool C box seat.

Rampaging number 8 Picamoles will earn his 81st cap but has never captained the national side. He replaces Guilhem Guirado as leader of the team, the hooker dropping to the bench.

France have enjoyed a 10-day rest since their nail-biting win over Argentina but now play Tonga and England in quick succession as they seek to top Pool C, the winner of which will likely play Australia in the quarter-finals.

Camille Lopez, whose drop goal proved the difference between France and Argentina on the opening weekend, will start at fly-half, forming a half-back partnership with Maxime Machenaud.

Brunel said he had picked a team to play a United States team that were “athletic but less powerful than Tonga”.

Selecting Picamoles as captain was the logical choice, added Brunel.

“He is the one with the most experience in this reshuffled team. And it’s a position and a role that he knows well.”

Meanwhile, USA coach Gary Gold made five changes to the side that lost 45-7 to England, many of them enforced by injury or suspension.

John Quill, who is suspended after suffering the ignominy of receiving the tournament’s first red card, has been replaced by Hanco Germishuy. Bryce Campbell and Mike Teo have been named to replace the injured pair of Paul Lasike and Will Hooley. And Eric Fry has been picked in place of David Ainu’u, who left the World Cup after sustaining a bad ankle injury.

“From the pack to a really dangerous backline, they have threats across the field,” said captain Blaine Scully, contemplating the difficulties Les Bleus will pose. “If we stick to our process and stick to our structures and our game plan, we feel like we can compete with anybody in the world and that’s what we’re here to do.” — AFP