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RUGBYU-6NATIONS-FRA-WAL-TEAM-NEWSERIES
France name Willemse, Ntamack for Wales Six Nations match
PARIS, Jan 30, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – South African-born Paul Willemse will make
his debut for France in Friday’s Six Nations opener against Wales in Paris.
Willemse, a 2012 junior world champion with the Baby Boks, arrived on
French soil in 2014 as a 21-year-old, so fulfilling the three years of
residency required by World Rugby regulations.
He received his French passport in November and will become the 11th South
African-born player to wear France’s blue jersey.
Also making his debut against the Welsh and facing a baptism of fire in
midfield will be Romain Ntamack, the 19-year-old son of emblematic ex-France
back Emile.
Ntamack is preferred to vice-captain Mathieu Bastareaud, whose dramatic
fall from favour means he is not even named among the replacements.
“It’s not a sanction, he’s an important player in the squad. He’s
definitely not been thrown out,” coach Jacques Brunel maintained, when asked
about Bastareaud’s absence.
Ntamack has been at the heart of a buoyant Toulouse side in the Top 14
this season and his selection hints at a change of gameplan by Brunel, who
last season oversaw three wins and eight defeats, including a first-ever loss
to Fiji.
“Romain Ntamack is a strong pick,” Brunel admitted. “Of course, he’s a lad
whose qualities we all know.
“He’s shown since the start of the season that he’s capable of adapting to
the levels he’s played at.” Ntamack will be partnered in the centres by
Wesley Fofana, who missed the November Tests through injury, with Gael Fickou
and Geoffrey Doumayrou providing cover from the bench.
Maxime Medard was named at full-back, with Damian Penaud and Yoann Huget
on the wings.
Morgan Parra teams up with Clermont teammate Camille Lopez at half-back
for just the second time at international level and four years after their
previous game together, in the 2015 Six Nations.
“We’ve wanted to play this combination for a year but we’ve been unable to
because of injuries,” Brunel said.
Arthur Iturria, Louis Picamoles and Wenceslas Lauret form a combative back
row.
But flanker Yacouba Camara, France’s stand-out player in last season’s Six
Nations, has been out injured and is not in the match-day 23, his place going
to La Rochelle’s uncapped Gregory Alldritt, capable of playing centre or on
the flank.
Willemse is partnered by Sebastien Vahaamahina in a massive lock pairing,
while New Zealand-born Uini Atonio makes his return at prop. Jefferson Poirot
is at loosehead with skipper Guilhem Guirado at hooker.
Team (15-1)
Maxime Medard; Damian Penaud, Wesley Fofana, Romain Ntamack, Yoann Huget;
Camille Lopez, Morgan Parra; Louis Picamoles, Wenceslas Lauret, Arthur
Iturria; Paul Willemse, Sebastien Vahaamahina; Uini Atonio, Guilhem Guirado
(capt), Jefferson Poirot
Replacements: Julien Marchand, Dany Priso, Demba Bamba, Felix Lambey,
Gregory Alldritt, Baptiste Serin, Gael Fickou, Geoffrey Doumayrou.
BSS/AFP/RY/16:50 hrs