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Recapturing glory New-look France seeks fighting spirit
Posted: Wednesday March 17, 1999 03:39 PM
CLAIREFONTAINE, France (Reuters) -- French selectors have acted to combat England's physical power by making five changes, including an untried back row, for Saturday's Five Nations clash at Twickenham. The French, shocked by a 34-33 home defeat by Wales that dashed their hopes of a record third consecutive grand slam, believe they have learned from their worst performance since losing 52-10 at home to South Africa in November 1997. "It is time to put the clock back and make the English understand that the French, their pride wounded, will represent for them the main barrier in this tournament," team manager Jo Maso said Wednesday. "We must recover our mental and physical strength and play a different game from how we played during the first half against the Welsh," Maso added after announcing the team. Center Pascal Giordani wins his first cap in place of former Dax teammate Richard Dourthe, injured in the opening minutes against Wales. Xavier Garbajosa of Toulouse takes over from Philippe Bernat-Salles on the wing, while number eight Christophe Juillet of Stade Francais makes his debut in the tournament. Beziers flanker Richard Castel replaces Marc Raynaud and Stade Francais prop Sylvain Marconnet, who came on as a replacement in the Wales game, will be in from the start in place of the experienced Christian Califano. The back row of Juillet, who celebrates his 30th birthday on Saturday, Thomas Lievremont, who moves from number eight to the flank, and Castel have never played together before. The French were poor in defense against Wales, failing to stop the attacks prompted by an inspired Neil Jenkins and the forwards were below par in all aspects of play. "The players are conscious of having failed," Maso said. "It is urgent to find a physical presence and defensive rigor which have been our strong points these last two years. "Giordani has qualities of robustness and defense which should allow him to get into the match," he said. The French are concerned also about what changes to make if one of the backs is hurt during the course of the match as Dourthe was in Paris. By bringing on reserve fly-half David Aucagne and moving Thomas Castaignede to centre, France lost their defensive organization from the off and were in disarray all afternoon. Maso said that should there be another injury, scrum-half Philippe Carbonneau, who has experience as a center and is defensively sound, should move across with a reserve coming into his position behind the scrum. "This is a big match because the English come into it from two consecutive victories," Maso said. "We must rediscover our combative attitude. "In this World Cup year we need to get rid of the doubt that has gripped the players and our supporters." French Squad15-Emile Ntamack, 14-Xavier Garbojosa, 13-Pascal Giordani, 12-Franck Comba, 11-Thomas Lombard, 10-Thomas Castaignede, 9-Philippe Carbonneau, 8-Christophe Juillet, 7-Richard Castel, 6-Thomas Lievremont, 5-Fabien Pelous, 4-Olivier Brouzet, 3-Franck Tournaire, 2-Raphael Ibanez (captain), 1-Sylvain Marconnet.
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