THE French selectors, in time-honoured tradition, have reacted swiftly and ruthlessly to last Saturday's defeat at Murrayfieid by engaging the guillotine for their next assignment against Ireland in Parc des Princes on February 17th.
In all, France make eight changes, four positional, for the Five Nations Championship match. There are new caps at centre, flanker and loosehead prop, and a change in the halfbacks.
And it's just as well for those who have clung on - albeit with dire warnings to practically all that this constitutes a final reprieve - that the selectors didn't follow their instincts.
Team manager Andrea Herrero admitted: "After we had watched the video of the Scottish game, Jean-Claude (Skrela) said we could have changed 14 players". The honourable exception was full-back Jean-Luc Sadourny. Herrero said, however, that on second viewing Skrela and his fellow selectors had extended their benevolence to three players; it seems Abdelatif Benazzi and Fabien Pelous could also be reasonably pardoned.
As it is, out-half Thierry Lacroix switches position with Thomas Castaignede, who forms a new half-back pairing with Begles scrum-half Guy Accoceberry, out since breaking his arm against Scotland in last year's World Cup.
Accoceberry said after hearing of his selection: "I am not quite 100 per cent fit since breaking my arm. However. I hope I will be able to contribute to a better team performance against Ireland."
New caps go to Narbonne prop Franck Tournaire, Toulouse flanker Richard Castel and Agen full-back Olivier Campan, who will play in the centre alongside Lacroix.
No one in France knows whether Castel can last 80 minutes, as he invariably appears forToulouse as a utility forward. Primarily, though, he is regarded as an open side forward, and it is surprising he has been included with, rather than instead of the fading Laurent Cabannes. By popular consent, the once brilliant Cabannes, Thierry Lacroix and Olivier Roumat - ironically the three "South Africans" whose exclusion from the team to play the two-match series against the All Blacks prompted a mini revolution within the French squad - have done little for the team since their return to the fold for the Five Nations. All are considered lucky to hold on.
Benazzi moves from blindside flanker to lock in place of Olivier Merle,
David Humphreys has been called into the Ireland squad for the training sessions at the weekend and, following his display last night is now a very viable contender for a place in the Ireland side to meet France. Ireland manage Pat Whelan announced after the match at Ravenhill last night that Humphreys had been asked to attend the Ireland sessions at the weekend. "Ulster played very well and deserved their win. It was a fine pertormance and they played some great rugby in what was an excellent match, said Whelan.
