SHARPE, BROWN AMONG WALLABIES TO BE REINSTATED FOR FRENCH TEST
Tuesday, 23 June 2009 2:36pm
RugbyWA
Emirates Western Force Captain Nathan Sharpe and Number 8 Richard Brown have been reinstated in the Wallabies starting lineup among a host of changes for the home team ahead of Saturday night’s showdown with France in Sydney (6pm kick off WST).
Sharpe returns to partner Queenslander James Horwill at lock, while Matt Giteau and Drew Mitchell also return to the starting XV after neither player took the field against the Azzurri in Melbourne.
Giteau resumes at flyhalf and Mitchell on the left wing however their Emirates Western Force teammates James O’Connor, Ryan Cross and David Pocock have all been reverted to the bench and debutante prop Pek Cowan omitted from the 22.
After sweeping the two-Test series against Italy, the Wallabies will be wary of a French outfit fresh off an unlikely series win over the All Blacks, albeit by the barest of margins.
France captured the Dave Gallagher Cup on a one-point differential courtesy of their five-point victory in the first Test in Dunedin.
The tourists will also be boosted by the return of several regulars who have completed their French Top 14 finals commitments, allowing Coach Marc Lievremont to field his strongest possible combination in Sydney.
The Wallabies, who remain unbeaten against Italy after completing the series whitewash in Melbourne, will break after Saturday night’s one-off Test with France before opening their 2009 Tri Nations campaign against the All Blacks on 18 July.
The Wallabies won all three encounters against Les Bleus under Coach Robbie Deans in 2008.
The Wallabies team to take on France is as follows:
2009 Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series
Wallabies v France
Saturday 27 June, 2009
ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Kick off: 6pm WST (8pm AEST)
Wallabies (Emirates Western Force players in bold)
1. Benn Robinson
2. Stephen Moore
3. Al Baxter
4. James Horwill
5. Nathan Sharpe
6. Dean Mumm
7. George Smith
8. Richard Brown
9. Luke Burgess
10. Matt Giteau
11. Drew Mitchell
12. Berrick Barnes
13. Stirling Mortlock
14. Lachie Turner
15. Adam Ashley-Cooper
Reserves
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. Ben Alexander
18. Phil Waugh
19. David Pocock
20. Josh Valentine
21. Ryan Cross
22. James O’Connor
