BIARRITZ STAR RAPHAEL Lakafia will make his first appearance for France against Ireland in Bordeaux on Saturday.
The 22-year-old has been named in Marc Lievremont’s starting line-up for Les Bleus’ first World Cup game against Declan Kidney’s side and starts alongside captain Thierry Dusautoir and his club skipper Imanol Harinordoquy in the back row.
“We wanted to integrate Raphael Lakafia,” Lievremont told L’Equipe.
“He will be well surrounded by Thierry Dusautoir, Imanol Harinordoquy and Dimitri Yachvili.
“We want to have consistency and have two good matches by lining up two homogenous groups. It is a mixture of youth and experience in all areas.”
Saturday’s match represents the first of a double-header between France and Ireland, the second match taking in Dublin on August 20th.
France team v Ireland: Traille; Clerc, Marty, Mermoz, Palisson; Trinh-Duc, Yachvili; Marconnet, Szarzewski, Ducalcon, Pierre, Millo-Chluski, Dusautoir (c), Harinordoquy, Lakafia.
Replacements: Guirado, Poux, Nallet, Bonnaire, Parra, Skrela, Medard. 23rd man: Barcella.
