France name Louis Picamoles as captain for USA encounter

France head coach Jacques Brunel has named Louis Picamoles as captain for the upcoming World Cup clash against the United States of America in Fukuoka to be played on Wednesday.

Picamoles will feature in his 81st Test and will captain them for the first time on what will be his ninth World Cup match with Guilhem Guirado named on the bench.

Brunel has made 12 changes to the line-up that edged out Argentina in the opening game with Thomas Ramos at fullback and Alivereti Raka and Yoann Huget at wings. Camille Lopez will take the kicking responsibility and Maxime Machenaud has been shifted to scrum-half.

Picamoles will be part of the back-row that has Yacouba Camara and Arthur Iturria with the second row comprising of Paul Gabrillagues and Bernard Le Roux.

The front-row has also undergone a complete change with Emerick Setiano and Cyril Baille at props and Camille Chat being the preferred hooker.

France are positioned third in Pool C and will face United States, Tonga and England in the remainder of the matches in the opening round.

France starting line-up: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Alivereti Raka, 13 Sofiane Guitoune, 12 Gael Fickou, 11 Yoann Huget, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Maxime Machenaud, 8 Louis Picamoles (c), 7 Yacouba Camara, 6 Arthur Iturria, 5 Paul Gabrillagues, 4 Bernard Le Roux, 3 Emerick Setiano, 2 Camille Chat, 1 Cyril Baille

Replacements: 16 Guilhem Guirado, 17 Jefferson Poirot, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 20 Gregory Alldritt, 21 Baptiste Serin, 22 Romain Ntamack, 23 Maxime Medard