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Noves changes almost entire backline for Japan

Noves announced eight changes in total to his starting line-up announced on Thursday from last week's 17-18 defeat to South Africa.

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Of the backs, only wing Teddy Thomas retains his place while Noves is handing debuts to flank Sekou Macalou and wing Gabriel Lacroix, the two star performers in a French XV that ran a second string All Blacks close in Lyon 10 days ago.

In the pack, lock Romain Taofifenua, whose brother and prop Sebastien retains his place on the bench, is the only other new face.

France: 15 Scott Spedding, 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 Damian Penaud, 12 Henry Chavancy, 11 Gabriel Lacroix, 10 Francois Trinh-Duc, 9 Baptiste Serin, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Sekou Macalou, 6 Judicael Cancoriet, 5 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 4 Romain Taofifenua, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Guilhem Guirado (captain), 1 Jefferson Poirot.

Replacements: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Sebastien Taofifenua, 18 Daniel Kotze, 19 Paul Jedrasiak, 20 Fabien Sanconnie, 21 Antoine Dupont, 22 Mathieu Bastareaud, 23 Hugo Bonneval.

Date: Saturday, November 25

Venue: UArena, Paris

Kick-off: 20.00 (19.00 GMT; 04.00 Japan Time, Sunday, November 26)

Referee: Luke Pearce (England)

Assistant referees: George Clancy (Ireland), Joy Neville (Ireland)

TMO: Sean Davey (England)

Agence France-Presse

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