Preview: France v Samoa
Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:24
France will be looking to the winning momentum after their impressive win over the Springboks, but their new-look side will not have it easy up against a Samoan outfit that pushed Wales all the way last weekend. rugby365 previews all the action...
The French made good on their promise to physically dominate the South African pack and were as fired-up and aggressive as a team could be within the realms of the law. But this will be a very different Les Bleus from the side that vanquished the World-Champions.
Head coach Lièvremont has made a host of changes to his starting line-up for the Stade de France clash on Saturday, with veteran prop Sylvain Marconnet leading the revamped side.
It will be the Marconnet's 78th cap - extending his national record in the position - but more importantly for the Stade Francais stalwart is that it will be the first time the captaincy has been entrusted to him.
The 33 year-old, said he expected a good battle with the Samoans, who pushed Wales hard last weekend, and admitted that South Sea Islanders were somewhat what of an unknown quantity – a trait that is usually characteristic of Les Bleus themselves.
"They [Samoa] are a rugged team in the style of the South Africans but they are also a team who revel in passing the ball around," said Marconnet.
"They are totally unpredictable at this level."
Lièvremont has resisted the temptation to keep together the group that produced a stirring performance in a 20-13 victory over the Boks, making twelve changes to the starting team.
Only burly eighthman Louis Picamoles, who had an outstanding match against the Springboks, was set to retain his place in the starting XV amongst the forwards but he has since ruled out with an injured knee. That has meant a recall for back-row teammate and regular skipper Thierry Duasatoir, but Marconnet retains the captain's armband.
Flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc and Vincent Clerc remain in a backline which sees Benjamin Fall of Bayonne getting a first start on the right-wing and Yannick Jauzion, a veteran of 61 -caps, back in the side.
Lievremont explains the sweeping changes as an opportunity to have a look at the reserve strength and give his front-line stars a break with a view to their massive clash with the All Blacks a week later.
"We wanted to freshen up the group and give some players a breather. We also wanted to have a look at young players like Guilhem Guirado, Benjamin Fall, Alexandre Lapandry as well as not so young but talented players like Yannick Jauzion and Pascal Pape," said Lievremont.
It is a risky move to make such vast alterations against a physical and strong Samoan side who gave Wales a scare before going down 17-13 at the Millenium Stadium. But they have also chosen to give some other players in their squad a run, making five changes for the Stade de France clash.
London Wasps back David Lemi shifts to the left-wing to accomodate Loakimo Mulipola on the right-wing in one of two changes to the backline, while Highlanders lock Kane Thompson comes in top the second-row in one of three to the pack.
So two changed sides will do battle, both with a reputation for unpredictability. Its difficult to know what will happen, but given the brutal nature of both their games last week, there are certain to be some fireworks in the physical exchanges.
Neither side will take a step back from the rough stuff and blood-bins and penalties are sure to flow. It may be the side that keeps their cool the best that comes out on top.
Players to watch:
For France: Dynamic Stade Francais hooker Dimitri Szarzewski is a compact and mobile front-row forward and he is sure to get through a lot of work against the big pack of the Pacific Islanders. Toulouse fullback Maxime Medard has recently seen his place in the national side taken by the more physical Damien Traille. The skilful back will be looking to give the selectors something to think about.
For Samoa: London Wasps flyer David Lemi is capable of the extraordinary and the joint second try-scorer in last year's Guinness Premiership may need to produce something special his side are to have a chance. Henry Tuilagi is considered by many to be one of most powerful and destructive running eighthmen in the game, showing remarkable speed and agility for a man of over 120kgs. He will be wearing the No.7 shirt, but only because his massive frame can't fit into the No.8, so expect some bullocking runs off the back of the scrum.
Head-to-head: Up against Lions powerhouse Jamie Roberts last week, Seilala Mapusua more than held his own. This week he gets a chance to go up against another of the world's best No.12's in Yannick Jauzion. It should be a fascinating battle. In the second-row, the clash between Sebastian Chabal and Filipo Levi will have an impact both on the line-out battle and in the loose. The 'Caveman' made a big impression in his cameo against the Boks, and it will up to the Newcastle Falcons lock to negate his presence.
Previous result:
1999: France won 39-22 in Apia
rugby365 Prediction: Despite so many changes, France will be overwhelming favourites to win this one. Samoa are sure to come out firing though, so expect a very competitive first half. Home-ground advantage and that extra bit of quality will see the through in the end. France to win by 15.
Teams:
France: 15 Maxime Medard, 14 Benjamin Fall, 13 David Marty, 12 Yannick Jauzion, 11 Vincent Clerc, 10 Francois Trinh-Duc, 9 Morgan
Parra, 8 Julien Bonnaire, 7 Thierry Dusautoir, 6 Alexandre Lapandry, 5 Pascal Pape, 4 Sebastien Chabal, 3 Sylvain Marconnet (captain), 2 Dimitri Szarzewski, 1 Thomas Domingo.
Replacements: 16 Guilhem Guirado, 17 Nicolas Mas, 18 Romain Millo-Chluski, 19 Julien Puricelli , 20 Julien Dupuy, 21 Damien Traille, 22 Yann David, 23 Fabien Barcella.
Samoa: 15 Lolo Lui, 14 Loakimo Mulipola, 13 Henry Fa'afili, 12 Seilala Mapusua, 11 David Lemi, 10 Fa'atonu Fili, 9 Junior Poluleuligaga, 8 Ofisa Treviranus, 7 Henry Tuilagi, 6 Jonathan Fa'amatuainu, 5 Kane Thompson, 4 Filipo Levi, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 , Sakaria Taulafo
Replacements: 16 Andrew Williams, 17 Junior Fatialofa, 18 Iosefa Tekori, Timoteo Iosua, 20 Uale Mai, 21 Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, 22 Titi Esau
Date: Saturday , November 21
Venue: Stade de France
Kick-off: 17:00 (16:00 GMT)
Referee: Dave Pearson (England)
Assistant referees: Rob Debney (England), Stuart Terheege (England)
Television match officials: Geoff Warren (England)
Assessor: David Herbert (Wales)