PHILLIPE SAINT-ANDRÉ has uncharacteristically named an unchanged France team to face Australia on Saturday [KO 20.00 Irish time].
The unpredictable head coach of Les Bleus has kept faith in the XV that powered to a 40-15 victory over Fiji in Marseille last weekned.
21-year-old Teddy Thomas retains his place on the wing after scoring three tries on debut against Fiji, while South African-born full-back Scott Spedding, who also made an impressive first cap, likewise keeps his place.
Saint-Andre insisted he wasn’t worried that Australia could exploit Thomas’s defensive weaknesses. Although he scored three tries last weekend, he was at fault for one of Fiji’s scores after a feeble attempt at a tackle.
“There’s a chance he will be targeted but he has a huge potential and he’s worked hard on his defence,” said Saint-Andre. ”He’s a young player who learns quickly. If he costs us two tries but scores four on Saturday, that would be a good return.”
Thomas retains his place after a hat-trick last weekend. Source: AP/Press Association Images
Meanwhile, former captain James Horwill returns to the Wallabies’ starting line-up in the only change to Michael Cheika’s team for Saturday’s fixture.
Horwill, a reserve last week, replaces lock Sam Carter in the team which beat Wales 33-28 at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium on Saturday. The French Test at the Stade de France will be the third of the Wallabies’ five-match European tour this month.