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France make one change for England showdown

Hugo Bonneval 23/2/2018
France head coach Jacques Brunel has made one change to the side that downed Italy in Marseille for the huge clash against England in the NatWest 6 Nations.

France head coach Jacques Brunel has made one change to the side that downed Italy in Marseille for the huge clash against England in the NatWest 6 Nations.

Fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc comes in to partner Maxime Machenaud, replacing Lionel Beauxis for the showdown at the Stade de France.

Les Bleus ran in three tries against Italy in the South of France and will maintain the same attacking trio of Remy Gross, Hugo Bonneval and Benjamin Fall.

Mathieu Bastareaud, who was sensational against the Azzurri, continues at outside centre with Geoffrey Doumayrou joining him in the centre.

Marco Tauleigne makes his third successive appearance at No.8 with Yacouba Camara and Wenceslas Lauret continuing in the back row.

Paul Gabrillagues, who dotted down against the Italians last time, will join Sébastien Vahaamahina to form a powerful second row.

Captain Guilhem Guirado, Rabah Slimani and Jefferson Poirot make up the rest of the pack to face the two-time defending NatWest 6 Nations champions.

France team to face England:  15. Hugo Bonneval 14. Benjamin Fall 13. Mathieu Bastareaud 12. Geoffrey Doumayrou 11. Remy Grosso 10. Francois Trinh-Duc 9. Maxime Machenaud 1. Jefferson Poirot 2. Guilhem Guirado 3. Rabah Slimani 4. Paul Gabrillagues 5. Sébastien Vahaamahina 6. Wenceslas Lauret 7. Yacouba Camara 8. Marco Tauleigne

Replacements: 16. Adrien Pelissie 17. Dany Priso 18. Cedate Gomes Sa 19. Romain Taofifenua 20. Kelian Galletier 21. Baptiste Couilloud 22. Lionel Beauxis 23. Gael Fickou