SOUTH AFRICA-BORN full-back Scott Spedding will make his debut for France in Les Bleus’ Test match against Fiji in Marseille on Saturday.
The 28-year-old, who joined Bayonne from Brive in 2012, was brought into the squad on Wednesday for the November Test series by coach Philippe Saint-Andre following an injury to first-choice number 15 Brice Dulin.
With Maxime Médard also struggling for fitness with a groin injury, the door has suddenly opened for Spedding to earn his first cap.
There are also debuts for two Racing Metro backs – Alexandre Dumoulin in the centre and Teddy Thomas on the wing. Both players have been in impressive form for the Parisian club in the Top 14.
Saint-Andre has gone for a new partnership at half-back in the shape of Sebastien Tillous-Borde of Toulon and Camille Lopez of Clermont, his 13th pairing in the pivotal playmaking positions since taking over in 2012.
Thierry Dusautoir is retained as captain in a back row also containing South Africa native Bernard Le Roux and Damien Chouly.
France team to play Fiji on Saturday:
15. Scott Spedding
14. Yoann Huget
13. Alexandre Dumoulin
12. Wesley Fofana
11. Teddy Thomas
10. Camille Lopez
9. Sebastien Tillous-Borde
1. Alexandre Menini
2. Guilhem Guirado
3. Nicolas Mas
4. Pascal Pape
5. Yoann Maestri
6. Thierry Dusautoir (capt.)
7. Bernard Le Roux
8. Damien Chouly
Replacements from:
Benjamin Kayser, Uini Atonio, Xavier Chiocci, Alexandre Flanquart, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Charles Ollivon, Rory Kockott, Remi Tales, Mathieu Bastareaud, Maxime Mermoz
- Additional reporting by TheScore.ie
