TYPICALLY ENOUGH, FRANCE have surprised us yet again.
Marc Lievremont has rung the changes in his side ahead of the clash with unbeaten England at Twickenham on Saturday.
Morgan Parra who was almost faultless against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium last time out, drops to the bench along with Clement Poitrenaud, Damien Traille and Julien Bonnaire. Dimitri Yachvili will start at out half in place of Parra.
There are also recalls for Sebastien Chabal, Vincent Clerc and Yannick Jauzion, while Maxime Medard switches from wing to full-back to replace Poitrenaud.
The changes come as Lievremont looks to make it three wins out of three against the only other side with a 100% record.
Wales, meanwhile, have made just the one, enforced, change for their showdown with Italy at Stadio Flaminio on Saturday.
A Jonathan Davies hamstring strain means James Hook moves from fly-half to centre to win his 50th cap. Warren Gatland looks to Stephen Jones at No 10.
Former Ireland coach Gatland insists that the Azzuri are a threat after they started so well against Declan Kidney’s men: “We have selected the strongest possible side, showing the utmost respect to Italy.
We know only too well what tough opponents they are in Rome and so we have picked the strongest team available to us.
France (to play England) :Maxime Medard; Yoann Huget, Aurelien Rougerie, Yannick Jauzion, Vincent Clerc; Francois Trinh-Duc, Dimitri Yachvili; Thomas Domingo, William Servat, Nicolas Mas, Julien Pierre, Lionel Nallet, Thierry Dusautoir (captain), Sebastien Chabal, Imanol Harinordoquy.
Replacements: Clement Poitrenaud, Guilhem Guirado, Sylvain Marconnet, Jerome Thion, Morgan Parra, Julien Bonnaire, Damien Traille.
Wales (to play Italy): Lee Byrne; Morgan Stoddart, James Hook, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams; Stephen Jones, Mike Phillips; Paul James, Matthew Rees (capt), Craig Mitchell, Bradley Davies, Alun Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate , Sam Warburton, Ryan Jones .
Replacements: Richard Hibbard, John Yapp, Jonathan Thomas, Josh Turnbull, Tavis Knoyle, Rhys Priestland, Leigh Halfpenny.
