France make sweeping changes

France coach Bernard Laporte has made wholesale changes for France's World Cup clash against Namibia in Toulouse on Sunday.

France coach Bernard Laporte has made wholesale changes for France's World Cup clash against Namibia in Toulouse on Sunday.

Only three players - Cedric Heymans, Damien Traille and Pieter De Villiers - remain from the side shocked 17-12 by Argentina in Friday's tournament opener.

Heymans moves from full-back to wing, with Clement Poitrenaud being handed the number 15 shirt.

There are also opportunities for outhalf Frederic Michalak, secondrow Sebastien Chabal, flanker Yannick Nyanga and number eight Julien Bonnaire.

READ MORE

An anticipated bonus point victory for France would keep them in the quarter-final hunt from Pool D, although Namibia proved difficult for Ireland to crack last weekend, losing just 32-17.

France:C Poitrenaud; V Clerc, D Marty, D Traille, C Heymans; F Michalak, J-B Elissalde; J-B Poux, D Szarzewski, P De Villiers, S Chabal, L Nallet, Y Nyanga, T Dusautoir, J Bonnaire. Replacements:R Ibanez, N Mas, F Pelous, I Harinordoquy, L Beauxis, Y Jauzion, A Rougerie.