Seven Toulouse players will form the backbone of the France XV to take on world champions South Africa in Toulouse on Friday night.
They include 21-year-old Yann David who wins his second cap at centre inside wingers and teammates Vincent Clerc and Cedric Heymans.
Perpignan’s Maxime Mermoz takes up the other centre slot with Damien Traille of Biarritz remaining at fullback.
Julien Dupuy of Stade Francais gets the nod at scrum-half following his strong displays during the summer tour of Australia and New Zealand and he is joined at fly-half by Francois Trinh-Duc of Montpellier.
In the pack, another Toulouse player, Thierry Dusautoir takes over the captaincy from Lionel Nallet, who nevertheless returns from injury at lock.
Dusautoir features in a strong back row with Imanol Harinordoquy and No.8 Louis Picamoles of Toulouse.
In the front row, William Servat of Toulouse is preferred as hooker alongside props Fabien Barcella of Biarritz and Nicolas Mas of Perpignan. — AFP
