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The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre selects unchanged squad to face Scotland in Six Nations

By: The Associated Press

Posted: 03/11/2013 12:47 PM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 03/11/2013 12:58 PM

France's Frederic Michalak kicks a conversion during their Six Nations rugby match against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland, Saturday, March 9, 2013. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

PARIS - France coach Philippe Saint-Andre selected an unchanged squad Monday for the Six Nations match against Scotland.

The only concern for Saint-Andre ahead of on the home match on Saturday is lock Yoann Maestri, who is nursing a sore shoulder and will sit out training to recover.

"Yoann is doubtful, but we hope he will be at 100 per cent for the weekend," Saint-Andre said, adding that Stade Francais player Alexandre Flanquart will stand in for Maestri during training sessions.

"It's a bonus for him, and for us," Saint-Andre said. "He will work hard, and find out about the highest level."

France snapped its three-match losing run by scraping a 13-13 draw at Ireland on Saturday to end the possibility of a first tournament whitewash since 1957.

Victory against Scotland at Stade de France will at least ensure France does not finish last in what has been a disappointing campaign following impressive wins against Australia and Argentina late last year.

France opened the tournament with a 23-18 loss at Italy, followed by a 16-6 home defeat to Wales and then a battling 23-13 loss at England.

Saint-Andre will have to decide whether to give another chance to flyhalf Frederic Michalak after a patchy performance against Ireland in which his kicking and passing were poor.

Saint-Andre may choose to reinstate Francois Trinh-Duc at No. 10 and assign the kicking duties to scrumhalf Morgan Parra.

___

France:

Forwards: Vincent Debaty, Thomas Domingo, Guilhem Guirado, Benjamin Kayser, Luc Ducalcon, Nicolas Mas, Yoann Maestri, Christophe Samson, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Antoine Claassen, Thierry Dusautoir (captain), Yannick Nyanga, Louis Picamoles.

Backs: Maxime Machenaud, Morgan Parra, Frederic Michalak, Francois Trinh-Duc, Mathieu Bastareaud, Vincent Clerc, Wesley Fofana, Florian Fritz, Yoann Huget, Maxime Medard.

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