Brunel on the defensive over early team changes

Jacques Brunel insists he has dropped Morgan Parra and Camille Lopez on merit and not for insubordination after selecting teen star Romain Ntamack at fly-half for France.

Toulouse’s 19-year-old playmaker Ntamack will make his first Test start in the number 10 shirt when France host Scotland in Paris, with Antoine Dupont slotting in at scrum-half.

Parra and Lopez criticised France’s management after their shambolic 44-8 loss to England at Twickenham.

Head coach Brunel announced France’s team two days early on Tuesday in a bid to wrestle back control of Les Bleus’ listing ship – but was immediately on the defensive over omitting Parra and Lopez.

When asked if Parra and Lopez had been left out of France’s 23 to face Scotland in punishment for their criticism, Brunel replied: “I’m telling you it’s not the case – ask them, ask their team-mates. Given our performance we needed to change things, it’s a sporting choice.”

Toulouse duo Dupont and Ntamack have just 13 caps between them. Yoann Huget returns to the wing after his disastrous outing at full-back against England, with Gael Fickou also back in the centres.

France team: T Ramos (Toulouse), D Penaud (Clermont), M Bastareaud (Toulon), G Fickou (Stade Francais), Y Huget, R Ntamack, A Dupont (all Toulouse), J Poirot (Bordeaux), G Guirado (Toulon, capt), D Bamba (Brive), S Vahaamahina (Clermont), F Lambey (Lyon), W Lauret (Racing 92), A Iturria (Clermont), L Picamoles (Montpellier). Replacements: C Chat (Racing 92), E Falgoux (Clermont), D Aldegheri (Toulouse), P Willemse (Toulouse), G Alldritt (La Rochelle), J Serin (Bordeaux), A Belleau (Toulon), M Medard (Toulouse).