Trinh-duc wins fly-half start as Beauxis is dropped
Francois Trinh-duc will become France’s third starting fly-half in four matches after being named in the side to take on England in Paris.
Trinh-duc replaces Lionel Beauxis, who has been dropped to the bench after inconsistent displays against Scotland and Italy. Trinh-duc’s most recent start for France was the 23-23 draw with Japan last November.
Matthieu Jalibert wore the No10 shirt in France’s opening defeat by Ireland but was forced off and subsequently ruled out of the tournament with a serious knee injury.
“We hope that Trinh-duc will give us this little extra to finish off our moves,” France coach Jacques Brunel said. “He also has a bit more experience with France than Beauxis, who played two interesting games but lacked something at the end of our attacks.”
Aside from Trinhduc’s promotion, Brunel has kept faith with the side who defeated Italy 34-17 in Marseille, his first win in charge since taking over from Guy Noves. Brunel’s decision to make only one change points to some welcome consistency in selection after a turbulent start, having picked 36 players over the first three matches. However, his hand was partly forced by the need for disciplinary action against eight players following a night out in Edinburgh. None of those players have been recalled to face England, including Teddy Thomas, the Racing 92 wing who had scored three tries in the opening two matches.
Captain Guilhem Guirado will make his 60th appearance, while Lyon’s 20-year-old scrum-half Baptiste Couilloud is in line to win his second cap, having again been named among the replacements.
“England must beat us to win the tournament,” Brunel said. “We were close against Ireland, we have to be close against England, too. It is our goal for Saturday.”