France coach Jacques Brunel dropped halfback Morgan Parra and five-eighth Camille Lopez for their Six Nations clash against Scotland but denied it had anything to do with their criticism of management following their Twickenham debacle.
Vice-captain Parra and Lopez pointed at the management’s share of responsibility in the 44-8 defeat against England on February 10 when Les Bleus looked clueless on the field.
Brunel, however denied the duo has been sanctioned when he reshuffled his cards for Stade de France on Saturday, making four changes to unveil a new-look, young team.
The pair have been replaced by the Toulouse duo Antoine Dupont, 22, and the 19-year-old Romain Ntamack, who rarely plays at five-eighth with his club.
“I’m telling you it’s not the case (that they are sanctioned),” Brunel told reporters. “Ask them, ask their team mates.”
“Given our performance (against England) we needed to change things, it’s a sporting choice.”
As a result, Yoann Huget shifts back to the wing after playing fullback in London and Gael Fickou is back at inside centre after playing at the wing.
Thomas Ramos, 23, will start at fullback and will be the main kicker in the absence of Parra and Lopez.
Ntamack, who started the opening game against Wales at centre, his usual club position, will have the playmaking responsibilities.
“We have been working on this with him,” Brunel said after naming his team two days ahead of schedule.
Asked if he was not showing his cards too early, Brunel replied: “After seeing our performance against England, Scotland must be pretty confident anyway.”
Brunel however called on France to show their true colours in Paris.
“We have to turn things around and show the real face of the France team,” he said.
France have lost eight of their last nine matches.
Scotland, who have not won in Paris since 1999, started their campaign with a victory against Italy before losing to champions Ireland.
France: Thomas Ramos, Damian Penaud, Mathieu Bastareaud, Gael Fickou, Yoann Huget, Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont, Louis Picamoles, Arthur Iturria, Wenceslas Lauret, Felix Lambey, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Demba Bamba, Guilhem Guirado (capt), Jefferson Poirot. Res: Camille Chat, Etienne Falgoux, Dorian Aldegheri, Paul Willemse, Gregory Alldritt, Baptiste Serin, Anthony Belleau, Maxime Medard.
