Frederic Michalak Upcoming Test Match
Michalak recalled for France
Fly-half Frederic Michalak has been recalled by France rugby coach Marc Lievremont to face World Cup winners South Africa in the upcoming Test match. The 27-year-old, who has notched up 50 caps for his country, has been urged by the coach to take his chance in the number 10 jersey for the clash in Toulouse next month following the injury of kicker Lionel Beauxis.
“We are still waiting for him to confirm his potential even though Fred has 50 caps for France,” said Lievremont.
“There is always the hope that he will show his best form.”
Lievremont has also named France Under-21 captain Alexandre Lapandry in the line-up, saying that the back-rower deserves a chance and “has shown over two seasons that he can play at the top level”.
One player not recalled is centre Mathieu Bastareaud, who has made an apology to New Zealand police for lying about being assaulted on tour earlier this year.
“We didn’t pick Mathieu Bastareaud despite his statement yesterday,” said Lievremont.
“I regret that it wasn’t done before but we can’t keep going back over this affair which ruined our summer.
“But water will flow under the bridge and I hope that Mathieu gets back in the team if his performances warrant it.”
Lievremont has included 17 forwards in his squad to compensate for South Africa’s superior strength in the pack.
“South Africa winning the World Cup was not really a surprise, but I get the impression they have got even better since then,” added Lievremont.
“They largely dominated the Tri-Nations series this summer and the spine of their team is extremely strong.”
France:
Backs: Julien Dupuy (Stade Francais), Morgan Parra (Clermont), Frederic Michalak (Toulouse), Francois Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), Yannick Jauzion (Toulouse), Maxime Mermoz (Perpignan), Yann David (Toulouse), David Marty (Perpignan), Cedric Heymans (Toulouse), Benjamin Fall (Bayonne), Vincent Clerc (Touloluse), Maxime Medard (Toulouse), Damien Traille (Biarritz).
Forwards: Fabien Barcella (Biarritz), Thomas Domingo (Clermont), Dimitri Szarzewski (Stade Francais), William Servat (Toulouse), Luc Ducalcon (Castres), Sylvain Marconnet (Stade Frantais), Nicolas Mas (Perpignan), Lionel Nallet (Racing Metro), Romain Millo-Chluski (Toulouse), Sebastien Chabal (Racing Metro), Pascal Pape (Stade Frantais), Imanol Harinordoquy (Biarritz), Louis Picamoles (Toulouse), Fulgence Ouedraogo (Montpellier), Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse, capt), Antoine Burban (Stade Francais), Alexandre Lapandry (Clermont).
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