29 Jan 2009

Changes to French rugby team

1:44 pm on 29 January 2009

The France rugby coach Marc Lievremont has dropped halfback Jean-Baptiste Elissalde and recalled number eight Imanol Harinordoquy for his side's first two Six Nations matches.

Elissalde, who featured in a 30-man squad named last week, was omitted for the games against Ireland next week in Dublin and Scotland a week later in Paris.

Harinordoquy was left out last week because of a sore knee but is now fit to play.

Lionel Beauxis is the only genuine first five eighth among the 23 players.

Squad:

Forwards: Nicolas Mas, Lionel Faure, Benoit Lecouls, Fabien Barcella, Dimitri Szarzewski, Benjamin Kayser, Sebastien Chabal, Lionel Nallet (captain), Romain Millo-Chluski, Thierry Dusautoir, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Louis Picamoles, Imanol Harinordoquy.

Backs: Sebastien Tillous-Borde, Morgan Parra, Lionel Beauxis, Yannick Jauzion, Benoit Baby, Florian Fritz, Julien Malzieu, Cedric Heymans, Clement Poitrenaud, Maxime Medard.