Le Roux at lock as France change five

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Bernard le Roux will start in the second row for France against New Zealand in Wellington on Saturday.

The 29-year-old South African loose forward has 31 Test caps, with the last three coming as a lock replacement.

He is one of five changes to the team that lost the first Test 52-11 in Auckland.

France coach Jacques Brunel has also brought Mathieu Babillot and Kélian Galletier onto the flanks, with Kelian Gourdon moving to No 8.

In the backline, Benjamin Fall will start at fullback and Gael Fickou on the left wing.

Hooker Pierre Bourgarit and prop Cedate Gomes Sa are on the bench.

France – 15 Benjamin Fall, 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud (c), 12 Geoffrey Doumayrou, 11 Gael Fickou, 10 Anthony Belleau, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Kelian Gourdon, 7 Kélian Galletier, 6 Mathieu Babillot, 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Bernard le Roux, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Camille Chat, 1 Dany Priso.
Subs: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Cedate Gomes Sa, 19 Paul Gabrillagues, 20 Alexandre Lapandry, 21 Baptiste Serin, 22 Jules Plisson, 23 Maxime Médard.

All Blacks team

Photo: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images

 

 

 

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SA Rugby magazine