Thursday 2 February 2017 14:39, UK
Guy Noves has stuck to his ambitious game plan when by naming 22-year-old Baptiste Serin at scrum-half for France's Six Nations opener against England.
Serin, who exceeded expectations as a replacement during the November series, will pair up with fly-half Camille Lopez for his sixth cap as Les Bleus will seek a first away win against England since 2007.
Bordeaux-Begles half-back Serin, who made a splendid blind pass behind his back for France's only try in their defeat against New Zealand in November, also shone in a 27-0 victory against Argentina last June.
Remi Lamerat and Gael Fickou are named as the centre partnership in the absence of the injured Wesley Fofana, with Mathieu Bastareaud omitted from the matchday 23, while Fijians Virimi Vakatawa and Noa Nakaitaci continue on the wings.
France: 15 Scott Spedding, 14 Noa Nakaitaci, 13 Remi Lamerat, 12 Gael Fickou, 11 Virimi Vakatawa, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Baptiste Serin; 1 Cyril Baille, 2 Guilhem Guirado (c), 3 Uini Atonio, 4 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 5 Yoann Maestri, 6 Damien Chouly, 7 Kevin Gourdon, 8 Louis Picamoles.
Replacements: 16 Clement Maynadier, 17 Rabah Slimani, 18 Xavier Chiocci, 19 Arthur Iturria, 20 Loann Goujon, 21 Maxime Machenaud, 22 Jean Marc Doussain, 23 Yoann Huget.
