France coach Guy Noves rings eight changes for second South Africa Test
France coach Guy Noves has made eight changes for the second Test against South Africa
©PA
French coach Guy Noves has made eight sweeping changes for second South Africa Test in Durban on Saturday.
Skipper Guilhem Guirado is back into the XV with fellow front-rower Rabah Slimani after missing last weekend's 37-14 defeat in Pretoria.
The 20-year-old Damian Penaud, has been rewarded for impressive performances during the concluding stages of the domestic season with Top 14 champions Clermont.
There is a new half-back partnership with Francois Trinh-Duc and Baptiste Serin replacing Jules Plisson and Maxime Machenaud respectively.
Second row Romain Taofifenua, flanker Kevin Gourdon and full-back Scott Spedding all also have returned to the matchday XV.
Commenting on the selection of Penaud, Noves told the French Rugby Federation website: "You expect, first of all, that he will live this adventure by playing for the first time at international level.
"It is no wonder that he takes to the field (at this level)."
France
Scott Spedding, Yoann Huget, Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Virimi Vakatawa, Francois Trinh Duc, Baptiste Serin, Louis Picamoles, Kevin Gourdon, Yacouba Camara, Romain Taofifenua, Yoann Maestri, Rabah Slimani, Guilhem Guirado (capt), Jefferson Poirot.
Reserves: Clement Maynadier, Eddy Ben Arous, Uini Atonio, Julien le Devedec, Bernard le Roux, Antoine Dupont, Jean-Marc Doussain, Nans Ducuing.
