Lucu in for recovering Dupont
MAXIME Lucu will start at scrumhalf to deputise for Antoine Dupont as coach Fabien Galthie stuck with his premium team for France’s final World Cup Pool A game, a knockout-style clash against Italy tomorrow.
Lucu will pair up with Bordeaux-Begles club partner, flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert, as Les Bleus look to wrap up top spot in the group and set up a potential quarterfinal clash with defending champions the Springboks, who are widely expected to end up second in Pool B behind Ireland.
Should they lose without picking up two bonus points, France will be eliminated and the Azzurri would go through, and Les Bleus are well aware that Italy will not look anything like the side who were destroyed 86-17 by New Zealand last week.
“They’re a Latin team and they’re wounded – that’s when things get dangerous. We have to be very careful because they will have nothing to lose,” Galthie told a press conference yesterday, saying France were now in the “knockout phase” of the tournament.
“We played them in Rome last year in the Six Nations, and it was a very tough Test,” he added, referring to France’s 29-24 victory.
“We’re expecting Italy to be completely different than against New Zealand,” flank Charles Ollivon said.
“We debriefed our game against them in the Six Nations, and did not look too much into what they’ve done against New Zealand.
“It will be very physical in the first 20 minutes, and they will not miss as many tackles as against the All Blacks.”
Dupont was ruled out of the game after fracturing his cheekbone in a headto-head clash during France’s 96-0 win against Namibia, and the 26-year-old only made his return to the squad at the weekend, resuming light training as he awaits the green light from his surgeon to start playing again.
The only other change from the team that started against Namibia is Gregory Alldritt returning to take the No 8 shirt after nursing a minor knee injury, forming the loose trio with captain Ollivon and Anthony Jelonch, who was again preferred to Francois Cros. As expected, Lucu will start, while Bapstite Couilloud was named among the “finishers”.
“Max and Matthieu complement each other. Technically, Max is very good, he has never disappointed and his kicking game is outstanding,” said Galthie.
Italy have not beaten France in 10 years. | Reuters FRANCE TEAM 15 Thomas Ramos 14 Damian Penaud 13 Gael Fickou 12 Jonathan Danty 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey 10 Matthieu Jalibert 9 Maxime Lucu 8 Gregory Alldritt 7 Charles Ollivon (captain) 6 Anthony Jelonch 5 Thibaud Flament 4 Cameron Woki 3 Uini Atonio 2 Peato Mauvaka 1 Cyril Baille
Bench: 16 Pierre Bourgarit 17 Reda Wardi 18 Dorian Aldegheri 19 Romain Taofifenua 20 Francois Cros 21 Baptiste Couilloud 22 Yoram Moefana 23 Melvyn Jaminet