 Skrela is normally a fly-half but will play at centre against the Pumas |
France coach Bernard Laporte has picked fly-half David Skrela at centre in one of nine changes for Friday's World Cup third-place tie against Argentina. Damien Traille, who played as a makeshift full-back in the last two matches, also reverts to centre.
Clement Poitrenaud resumes at full-back, while Aurelien Rougerie and Christophe Dominici start on the wings.
Frederic Michalak plays at fly-half, with hooker Raphael Ibanez captaining the side in probably his last Test.
Lionel Nallet comes in at lock for the injured Fabien Pelous, who could also retire after the World Cup.
But there is no place, even on the bench, for veteran flanker Serge Betsen.
Prop Pieter de Villiers, lock Jerome Thion, and flanker Thierry Dusautoir all keep their places.
Sebastien Chabal starts on the bench after being cleared by a disciplinary panel on Monday of a dangerous tackle on England's Simon Shaw during the 14-9 semi-final defeat.
France: Poitrenaud, Rougerie, Skrela, Traille, Dominici, Michalak, Elissalde; Poux, Ibanez, De Villiers, Nallet, Thion, Nyanga, Dusautoir, Harinordoquy.
Replacements: Bruno, Mas, Chabal, Martin, Mignoni, Beauxis, Clerc.
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