France make a whopping 12 changes for USA

France coach Jacques Brunel has named his team for the Pool C match against USA at Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium.

There are 12 changes in the Starting XV in comparison with their opener against Argentina. Only Arthur Iturria, Gael Fickou and Yoann Huget are in both Starting XVs.

Gael Fickou earns his 50th cap for France against USA. He was player-of-the-match versus Argentina in the opener for France.

Louis Picamoles will appear in his ninth World Cup match and will earn his 81st cap in total but for the first time he is named captain of Les Bleus.

In the 2015 RWC, France made 13 changes in their starting XV between match 1 and 2 and 12 changes between match 2 and 3.

World Rugby and the Japan Rugby 2019 Organising Committee confirmed that the game will be played in Fukuoka on 2 October despite the approach of Typhoon Mitag.

A statement reads: “The decision has been taken following consultation with our weather information experts and the Japan Meteorological Agency, which confirms that Typhoon Mitag is lessening in strength, tracking further westward away from Japan’s coastline and therefore will not impact the match.”

TEAM:

1. Cyril Baille
2. Camille Chat
3. Emerick Setiano
4. Bernard Le Roux
5. Paul Gabrillagues
6. Arthur Iturria
7. Yacouba Camara
8. Louis Picamoles (capt.)
9. Maxime Machenaud
10. Camille Lopez
11. Yoann Huget
12. Gael Fickou
13. Sofiane Guitoune
14. Alivereti Raka
15. Thomas Ramos

16. Guilhem Guirado
17. Jefferson Poirot
18. Rabah Slimani
19. Sebastien Vahaamahina
20. Gregory Alldritt
21. Baptiste Serin
22. Romain Ntamack
23. Maxime Medard

Mandatory credit: World Rugby Press conference with Australia head coach Michael Cheika and captain Michael Hooper after losing 25-29 to Wales in Tokyo.