Six Nations: Saint-Andre braves half-back changes

WITH France needing to beat England to have a realistic chance of pipping Wales to the Six Nations title, coach Philippe Saint-Andre has made a potentially risky move by shaking up his team for the first time since taking charge after the World Cup.

France’s lacklustre display in last weekend’s 17-17 draw against Ireland was enough to convince him something needed to be done.

He has dropped experienced half-backs Morgan Parra and Francois Trinh-Duc, even though they have played together for the best part of four years, replacing them with scrum-half Julien Dupuy and stand-off Lionel Beauxis – who have played only nine minutes together at international level.

It is a brave move by Saint-Andre, who felt he needed the long kicking of Beauxis to push the English back and stop Stuart Lancaster’s team gaining a territorial hold on the game.

Trinh-Duc, for all his flair and quick hands, kicked poorly against Ireland, putting his team in trouble rather than clearing danger. Beauxis, a reliable if unspectacular No.10, will also take the penalty kicks with Dupuy as his back up.