To show how much England’s 23 might change for the second test against Wales, we need only glance at France’s side for their return test against Italy. Thomas Darracq has really thrown his cards in the air to see how they fall back to earth again.
Several striking experiments.
The 23:
1 Deshayes
2 Sochat (captain)
3 Bernadou
4 Ferer
5 Fall
6 Feleu
7 Gros
8 Ménager R.
9 Bourdon
10 Queyroi
11Boulard
12 Drouin
13 Ménager M.
14 Llorens
15 Jacquet
Bench
16 Touyé
17 Brosseau
18 Joyeux
19 Forlani
20 Mayans
21 Sansus
22 Trémouliere
23 Boujard
Injured: Hermet (knee)
Darracq is still hunting for an alternative No 10, such a vital cog in the wheel. He brings Lina Queyroi off the bench which means Drouin wears No 12, quite probably for the first time at this level. It means yet another centre partnership, the same problem as England have faced for quite a while.
Suddenly Jessy Trémoulière’s name reappears, though her place on the bench hardly looks like a ringing endorsement for the woman declared the Player of the (past) Decade.
This is still a formidable pack, but the team’s inability to achieve a score after the break in the first test is all too reminiscent of a similar mishap against Scotland in Glasgow last April.
They haven’t found a consistent way of keeping the scoreboard ticking after apparently reducing the opposition to crumb-hunting.
Agathe Sochat is honoured with the captaincy as Gaëlle Hermet has sustained a knee injury. But it was about time she was allowed to watch her team from beyond the touchline.
A place is found for Emeline Gros on the flank at the expense of the young debutant Charlotte Escudero. Given the disparity in size and strength between her and Romane Ménager, this seems a sensible compromise.
It’s pleasing to see Marjorie Mayans’ name reappearing. She acquired the tag ‘Queen of the Tackle’ for good reason.
Caroline Boujard’s name reappears on the bench. France still awaits the return of Cyrielle Banet; we will have to wait till New Zealand for that.
Italy hasn’t kept pace with the other five nations when it comes to attendances. If a new venue, Biella, doesn’t provide a good gate, that will keep the combined spectator total for the two tests at a disturbing low.
Details:
Venue: Stadio del Rugby, Biella
Date: 9 September
Kick-off: 18.00 (local time)
