France A have named a blend of established internationals and emerging talent for Friday’s uncapped clash against England XV in Vannes.
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The fixture, which takes place at the Stade de la Rabine, serves as an important warm-up for both nations ahead of their respective summer campaigns, with experienced lock Mickaël Guillard captaining the side.
There is a strong Union Bordeaux Bègles influence throughout the starting XV, with Jefferson Poirot, Maxime Lamothe, Sipili Falatea, Temo Matiu, Marko Gazzotti, Yoram Moefana and Nicolas Depoortere all included from the back-to-back European champions.
The backline is spearheaded by the half-back pairing of Nolann Le Garrec and Antoine Hastoy, while Theo Attissogbe starts at full-back after impressing in recent international appearances.
Several players are in line to make their first appearance for France A, including Castres winger Christian Ambadiang, Bayonne flanker Esteban Capilla, Pau flyer Grégoire Arfeuil and Clermont hooker Barnabé Massa.
The experienced front row of Jefferson Poirot, Maxime Lamothe and Sipili Falatea boasts more than 50 Test caps between them, while Yoram Moefana brings 39 international appearances to an otherwise youthful backline.
France A team to face England XV
15 Theo Attissogbe (Section Paloise)
14 Christian Ambadiang (Castres Olympique)
13 Nicolas Depoortere (Union Bordeaux Bègles)
12 Yoram Moefana (Union Bordeaux Bègles)
11 Grégoire Arfeuil (Section Paloise)
10 Antoine Hastoy (Stade Rochelais)
9 Nolann Le Garrec (Stade Rochelais)
8 Marko Gazzotti (Union Bordeaux Bègles)
7 Esteban Capilla (Aviron Bayonnais)
6 Temo Matiu (Union Bordeaux Bègles)
5 Thomas Staniforth (Castres Olympique)
4 Mickaël Guillard (LOU Rugby, captain)
3 Sipili Falatea (Union Bordeaux Bègles)
2 Maxime Lamothe (Union Bordeaux Bègles)
1 Jefferson Poirot (Union Bordeaux Bègles)
Replacements: Barnabé Massa, Réda Wardi, Régis Montagne, Boris Palu, Killian Tixeront, Baptiste Jauneau, Axel Desperes, Fabien Brau-Boirie.
Additional players: Lucas Martin, Emerick Setiano, Pierre Bochaton, Mathis Ferté and Louis Le Brun.
France A take on England XV on Friday, 19 June, with kick-off scheduled for 6:15pm local time at the Stade de la Rabine in Vannes.
