Grosso handed French debut
The 26-year-old Castres wing, whose squad call-up to replace the injured Yoann Huget surprised even Grosso, wins his first cap against a Canada side who showed some sparkle in their 18-23 defeat by Italy on Saturday.
Grosso has only previously donned a blue jersey for the Sevens side in the European qualifiers for next year's Olympics in June.
"For him, it is an exceptional adventure," said coach Philippe Saint-Andre after announcing the team seeking a third successive win.
"A few weeks ago he would not even have been thinking of the World Cup.
"Now he is in the first team. Now it is time for him to prepare for the game without putting pressure on himself and he plays his normal game out there."
Saint-Andre, who is building towards the decisive pool match against Six Nations champions Ireland, also gives fullback Brice Dulin another try on the wing after a disappointing performance in the unfamiliar position against England before the tournament.
Dulin, who will win his 22nd cap, has found it impossible to dislodge South African-born Scott Spedding from the fullback spot. And with Fijian-born wing Noa Nakatici rested after playing in the wins over Italy and Romania the Racing92 man gets another chance.
"He has started to adjust to the differences between the two positions since we started working with him on those," said Saint-Andre.
Saint-Andre has also recalled several of his first choice players for the rugged challenge that Canada will provide.
Thierry Dusautoir returns to captain the side with the halfback partnership of Toulon duo, scrumhalf Sebastian Tillous-Borde and kicker Frederic Michalak also back in the frontline.
The mercurial Michalak could pass a personal milestone if he scores four points he will become France's all-time World Cup scorer passing Thierry Lacroix' mark of 124.
Saint-Andre, though, rests No.8 Louis Picamoles, who like Nakaitaci played in both of the pool matches so far.
France play Ireland on October 11 with the winner likely to top the table and avoid the defending champions New Zealand in the last eight.
France: 15 Scott Spedding, 14 Brice Dulin, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Remy Grosso, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Sebastian Tillous-Borde, 8 Damien Chouly, 7 Bernard Le Roux, 6 Thierry Dusautoir (captain), 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Pascal Pape, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Guilhem Guirado, 1 Eddy Ben Arous.
Replacements: 16 Benjamin Kayser, 17 Vincent Debaty, 18 Nicolas Mas, 19 Yannick Nyanga, 20 Fulgence Ouedraogo, 21 Morgan Parra, 22 Remi Tales, 23 Alexandre Dumoulin.
Date: Thursday, October 1
Venue: Stadium MK, Milton Keynes
Kick-off: 20.00 (19.00 GMT; 21.00 French Time; 15.00 Canadian Eastern Time)
Referee: JP Doyle (England)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Angus Gardner (Australia)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)
AFP
