Plisson to captain France

Editor

Stade Français fly-half Jules Plisson has been named as France's captain for Sunday's Test against Argentina in Tucumán.

France head coach Guy Novès has entrusted Plisson with captaincy in the absence of first-choice skipper Guilhem Guirado, who will be in action for Toulon in their Top 14 semi-final against Montpellier this weekend.

Novès has named seven debutants in his starting XV for this fixture which is the first of a two-Test series against los Pumas in Tucumán. Amongst the backs, right wing Xavier Mignot, outside centre Julien Rey and scrum-half Baptiste Serin are set to make their Test debuts.

In the forwards, number eight Kevin Gourdon, second row duo William Demotte and Julien Le Devedec as well as hooker Rémi Bonfils will win their first caps.

Novès has named a strong bench with experienced back-row Louis Picamoles and fly-half François Trinh-Duc amongst the replacements.

France: 15 Hugo Bonneval, 14 Xavier Mignot, 13 Julien Rey, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Djibril Camara, 10 Jules Plisson (c), 9 Baptiste Serin, 8 Kevin Gourdon, 7 Raphaël Lakafia, 6 Loann Goujon, 5 William Demotte, 4 Julien Ledevedec, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Rémi Bonfils, 1 Jefferson Poirot 
Replacements: 16 Clément Maynadier, 17 Uini Atonio, 18 Lucas Pointud, 19 Fabrice Metz, 20 Louis Picamoles, 21 Sébastien Bézy, 22 François Trinh-Duc, 23 Gaël Fickou

Date: Sunday, June 19
Venue: Estadio Monumental José Fierro, Tucumán
Kick-off: 18:10 local (21:10 GMT)
Referee: Johnny Lacey (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Stuart Berry (South Africa), Luke Pearce (England)
TMO: Johan Greeff (South Africa)