Uncapped: Antoine Claassen
France have called up South African-born loose forward Antoine Claassen into their Six Nations squad to face England next week.
The 28-year-old Castres flank is the son of former Springbok captain Wynand Claassen, but has been playing in France since 2007.
France coach Philippe Saint-André has added five new players to his squad ahead the clash at Twickenham.
Thomas Domingo, Christophe Samson, Yannick Nyanga, Vincent Clerc and the uncapped Claassen will all join the squad as Saint-André searches for a change in fortune after losses so far against Italy and Wales.
At the same time, five players have been dropped including Maxime Mermoz, Damien Chouly, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Yannick Forestier and Romain Taofifénua.
France squad:
Forwards (13): Vincent Debaty, Thomas Domingo, Benjamin Kayser, Dimitri Szarzewski, Luc Ducalcon, Nicolas Mas, Yoann Maestri, Pascal Papé, Christophe Samson, Yannick Nyanga, Thierry Dusautoir, Antoine Claassen, Louis Picamoles.
Backs (10): Maxime Machenaud, Morgan Parra, Frédéric Michalak, François Trinh-Duc, Mathieu Bastareaud, Benjamin Fall, Wesley Fofana, Florian Fritz, Yoann Huget, Vincent Clerc.
Comments
Iyhel says...
Chouly and Taofifenua barely played so I don't really understand why they're dropped. (but with Tchale-Watchou injured Usap won't complain)
Clerc back in for Mermoz would see Fofona finally at centre but there's still no one to cover for the back three so either we keep TD as replacement full-back or we stick with Fofona on the wing and Fall or Huget as back three cover... Great prospect...
Posted 14:56 11th February 2013
mlbp says...
And still no specialist full back...
Posted 14:48 11th February 2013
mlbp says...
Jocelino Suta has been dropped too, apparently...
Posted 14:48 11th February 2013
carpelone says...
Mermoz was quite useless.
Fofana at 12 and Clerc at 14 against England.
The Poms look very solid though.
Posted 14:40 11th February 2013
Wolf_Squirrel says...
Once France go with Galthie as coach they will be sorted. They need leaders on the field too so either Parra or Yachvilli need to be in there
Posted 14:20 11th February 2013