Berbizier makes sweeping changes
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Your support makes all the difference.The French coach, Pierre Berb-izier, has made 10 changes to his side for their Group D match against the Ivory Coast in Rustenburg today.
Berbizier was upset by France's sluggish display in their opening 38- 10 victory over Tonga, and has kept only five players from that team. "There's a lot of narcissists in this team," he said. "Guys waiting around to make a big play for selfish reasons. "
The hooker Marc de Rougemont will make his international debut and Sebastien Viars returns at full-back at the expense of Jean-Luc Sadourny. Several first-choice players, including Philippe Sella and Olivier Merle, have been left out.
"I'm not worried about the score, but I expect a consistent showing and I hope the players will respect the basic principles of the game," said Berbizier.
Ivory Coast were beaten by a record score of 89-0 in their opening match by Scotland, and had fly-half and captain Athanase Dali carried off in the first half.
Dali sustained bruised and cut knees and he has been named among the replacements, with full-back Jean Sathicq taking over as captain.
FRANCE (v Ivory Coast, Rustenburg, today): S Viars (Brive); P Saint-Andre (Montferrand, capt), F Mesnel (Racing), T Lacroix (Dax), W Techoueyres (SBUC); Y Delaigue (Toulon), G Accoceberry (Begles-Bordeaux); L Benezech (Racing), M de Rougemont (Toulon), C Califano (Toulouse), O Brouzet (Grenoble), O Roumat (Dax), A Costes (Montferrand), A Benazzi (Agen), L Cabannes (Racing).
IVORY COAST: J Sathicq (CASGI, capt); A Soulama (Burotic), T Kouame (ASPAA), L Niakou (Niort), M Brito (Biscarosse), A Camara (ASPAA), F Dupont (Nimes), J-P Ezoua (ASAPA), A Niamien (Bouake), T Djehi (Millau), A Kone (Soustons), D Sanoko (Biarritz), P Pere (ACBB Paris), I Lassissi (Burotic), A Okou (Poitiers).
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