FRANCE on Thursday named influential centre Emile Ntamack, who has been nursing a knee injury, in their team to face New Zealand in Sunday’s World Cup semifinal and brought back lock Fabien Pelous after a ban.
The French made just one change from the team that started their quarter-final defeat of Argentina last weekend with Pelous returning to replace Olivier Brouzet who is on the bench for the Twickenham clash.
Pelous was handed a ban for stamping on Fijian captain Greg Smith during the group stage.
“It’s looking good (with Ntamack),” French coach Jean-Claude Skrela said. “He went running this morning and he will take part in training this afternoon.”
Skrela also welcomed the return of Pelous after his one-match suspension.
The French know they face a huge challenge against the All Blacks, the tournament favourites.
“We are at the foot of the mountain. Now we have to climb it,” Skrela said.
Team:
Xavier Garbajosa; Philippe Bernat-Salles, Richard Dourthe, Emile Ntamack, Christophe Dominici; Christophe Lamaison, Fabien Galthie; Christophe Juillet, Olivier Magne, Marc Lievremont, Fabien Pelous, Abdel Benazzi, Franck Tournaire, Raphael Ibanez (captain), Cedric Soulette. Replacements: Ugo Mola, Stephane Glas, Stephane Castaignede, Arnaud Costes, Olivier Brouzet, Pieter de Villiers, Marc Dal Maso.