Fearsome young trio expected to start for France

With several top-notch forwards at his disposal, France manager Didier Deschamps has tough choices to make ahead of his young team’s World Cup opener against Australia – and the experienced Olivier Giroud could find himself on the bench. The 31-year-old Chelsea striker, who has scored 31 goals in 74 games for his country, sustained a cut on his forehead in France’s last warm-up match against the United States but has been training with a bandage around his head. Deschamps, however, is expected to leave Giroud out of the starting lineup for their first Group C match in Kazan tomorrow, having fielded him with the substitutes team in training on Wednesday. Kylian Mbappe, above, 19, and 21-year-old Ousmane Dembele, who have linked up impressively during the buildup matches, should start along with Antoine Griezmann, 27, to form a fearsome trio.