'Energetic' Tuilagi handed first France start against Italy / Photo: CLEMENT MAHOUDEAU - AFP/File
'Energetic' Tuilagi handed first France start against Italy
Giant lock Posolo Tuilagi will make his first France start against Italy in the Six Nations this weekend, after head coach Fabien Galthie named his team on Friday.
Tuilagi, the son of former Samoa back-rower Henry, won his first two caps in France's opening games in the tournament off the bench, including a debut in the round-one loss to Ireland.
The 19-year-old, who weighs 145kg, is one of two changes after the victory over Scotland in Murrayfield two weeks ago.
"He brought a lot of energy at the end of the game in Scotland," Galthie's assistant coach Laurent Sempere told reporters.
"He also did so against Ireland.
"We decided to start him against Italy after his performances during training sessions with us and each time he's come on the field," he added.
The other positional alteration from the win in Edinburgh is Paul Boudehent coming in at blindside flanker, with Francois Cros moving to No 8 as Gregory Alldritt is out injured.
Toulouse's Cros, who said earlier this week he was comfortable in the position, played there for the final 30 minutes of the win in Edinburgh after Alldritt suffered a thigh issue.
"Francois was one of the best performing forwards during the first two matches," Sempere said.
"What's important is to have Francois on the field, be that in the changing room or with his performance right now, he has a very important role.
"He's capable of playing at No 8, and did it against Scotland."
Flanker Charles Ollivon replaces Alldritt as skipper for Sunday's game held in Lille as the Stade de France is being renovated for this summer's Paris Olympics.
- 'Not reality TV' -
Galthie has chosen against making too many changes to face the Azzurri, who last beat France in 2013, after a sluggish start to the campaign.
The former France captain has kept highly-criticised Maxime Lucu at scrum-half, with Antoine Dupont away on sevens duty, instead of handing lively youngster Nolann Le Garrec a first start.
Centres Gael Fickou and Jonathan Danty, who have 117 caps between them, also hold onto their spots in the starting lineup despite disappointing performances.
"Rugby is not reality television," Galthie said. "The players here, who have 80 caps, 60 caps, 50 caps, they're not here by luck.
"Sometimes we're allowed to perform not as well as usual collectively, individually, but they are human beings."
Prop Cyrill Baille wins his 50th cap, with back-rower Esteban Abadie set for his Test debut off the bench aged 26.
Elsewhere among the substitutes are brothers in prop Sebastien Taofifenua and lock Romain Taofifenua.
Romain, like Baille, also reaches the half-century mark after missing France's opening games of the championship with a leg injury.
France (15-1)
Thomas Ramos; Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Jonathan Danty, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Matthieu Jalibert, Maxime Lucu; Francois Cros, Charles Ollivon (capt), Paul Boudehent; Posolo Tuilagi, Cameron Woki; Uini Atonio, Peato Mauvaka, Cyril Baille
Replacements: Julien Marchand, Sebastien Taofifenua, Dorian Aldegheri, Romain Taofifenua, Alexandre Roumat, Esteban Abadie, Nolann Le Garrec, Yoram Moefana
Coach: Fabien Galthie (FRA)
B.Jamieson--EWJ
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