Rugby – team news:While Declan Kidney is not due to name his side until tomorrow lunchtime, France coach Marc Lievremont revealed his hand this afternoon with Biarritz number eight Raphael Lakafia, the only uncapped player in the squad, ready to make his debut in Bordeaux on Saturday.
The 22-year-old was today named in Lievremont’s starting line-up for Les Bleus’ first World Cup warm-up game. He will feature alongside France captain Thierry Dusautoir and club skipper Imanol Harinordoquy in the backrow.
“We wanted to integrate Raphael Lakafia,” Lievremont said. “He will be well surrounded by Thierry Dusautoir, Imanol Harinordoquy and Dimitri Yachvili. We want to have consistency and have two good matches by lining up two homogenous groups. It is a mixture of youth and experience in all areas.”
Vincent Clerc has been named on the wing despite nursing a knee injury, with prop Fabien Barcella named 23rd man notwithstanding an elbow problem.
Lievremont’s side will face Ireland at home this weekend and then at the Aviva Stadium on August 20th before kicking off their World Cup campaign against Japan in North Shore City on September 10th.
France:Traille; Clerc, Marty, Mermoz, Palisson; Trinh-Duc, Yachvili; Marconnet, Szarzewski, Ducalcon, Pierre, Millo-Chluski, Dusautoir (capt), Harinordoquy, Lakafia. Replacements:Guirado, Poux, Barcella, Nallet, Bonnaire, Parra, Skrela, Medard.
Ireland:To be announced.
