France make five changes

Editor

France coach Philippe Saint-André has made five changes to his starting XV for this weekend's Six Nations clash against Wales in Paris.

At full-back Brice Dulin replaces Scott Spedding while Sofiane Guitoune gets the nod on the left wing to replace the injured Teddy Thomas.

In the midfield, Rémi Lamerat comes into the run-on team ahead of Mathieu Bastareaud while scrum-half Morgan Parra has been passed fit and comes in for Rory Kockott. Sebastien Tillous-Borde returns on the bench.

Romain Taofifenua lock is promoted off the bench takes the place of suspended former skipper Pascal Papé. Toulon's Jocelino Suta is added to the replacements.

France: 15 Brice Dulin, 14 Yoann Huget, 13 Rémi Lamerat, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Sofiane Guitoune, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Damien Chouly, 7 Bernard Le Roux, 6 Thierry Dusautoir, 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Romain Taofifenua, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Guilhem Guirado, 1 Eddy Ben Arous.
Replacements: 16 Benjamin Kayser, 17 Uini Atonio, 18 Vincent Debaty, 19 Jocelino Suta, 20 Loann Goujon, 21 Sebastien Tillous-Borde, 22 Rémi Talès, 23 Mathieu Bastareaud.

Date: Saturday, February 28
Kick-off: 18:00 local (17:00 GMT)
Venue: Stade de France
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: JP Doyle (England), Marius Mitrea (Italy)
Television match official: Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Assessor: Clayton Thomas (Wales)