Controversial Bastareaud selected for France against Scotland
Mathieu Bastareaud
Controversial centre has been recalled to France’s starting line-up for their Six Nations opener against Scotland.
The 21 year-old Stade Francais player lost his place after making false claims he had been the victim of an attack in New Zealand last June before admitting he injured himself in a drunken fall in his hotel room.
“Mathieu called himself into question. We hope that what happened a few months ago helped him to grow up,” Lievremont said, hinting that the player was being given a second chance on the back of his strong showing in domestic rugby.
“We just hope he will confirm his good performances with his club on Sunday.”
Lievremont has also handed a first Six Nations start to winger Benjamin Fall for Sunday’s match at Murrayfield after the 20 year-old impressed on his debut against Samoa last November.
Other players earning recalls are full-back Clement Poitrenaud, wing Aurelien Rougerie and flanker Fulgence Ouedraogo, who all missed the November tests through injury or lack of form.
France team to face Scotland:
Clement Poitrenaud, Benjamin Fall, Mathieu Bastareaud, Yannick Jauzion, Aurelien Rougerie, Francois Trinh-Duc, Morgan Parra; Thomas Domingo, William Servat, Nicolas Mas, Lionel Nallet, Pascal Pape, Thierry Dusautoir, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Imanol Harinordoquy.
Replacements: Dimitri Szarzewski, Luc Ducalcon, Julien Pierre, Julien Bonnaire, Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, David Marty, Vincent Clerc.
Related Posts
« Chris Paterson to win 99th cap for Scotland Muller to join Ulster after Super14 »
