Marc Lievremont makes wholesale France changes

France coach Marc Lievremont has made 13 changes for the team’s World Cup warm-up clash with Ireland on Saturday.

France defeated Ireland 19-12 in Bordeaux last weekend, but the only players to remain from that squad are Alexis Palisson and Dimitri Szarzewski.

In the backs, Aurelien Rougerie returns from injury, joining Cedric Heyman, Maxime Medard, Fabrice Esebanez and new half-back pairing David Skrela and Morgan Parra.

Lock Lionel Nallet will captain the squad, while Fulgence Ouedraogo, Julien Bonnaire and Louis Picamoles all start in a new-look back-row.

France kick off their World Cup campaign against Japan on Saturday, September 10.