France will field six new caps in their starting line-up when they meet Argentina in the first of a two test series in Mendoza on Saturday, while Baptiste Serin has been named captain.
The 30-year-old Serin narrowly missed out on World Cup selection last year and also did not compete in this year’s Six Nations but has 44 caps and is the most experienced player in the tour party, shorn of many of the French regulars.
Among the newcomers is 28-year-old Munster centre Antoine Frisch, who left France three years ago to play in England and Ireland in an effort to break through into the professional ranks.
Lock Hugo Auradou, 20, from Pau and equally youthful loose forwards Oscar Jegou and Jordan Joseph also play a test for the first time.
🇦🇷🆚🇫🇷 Le compositon du #XVdeFrance !
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) July 4, 2024
🔵 Voici les 23 Bleus qui affronteront @lospumas pour ce premier Test-Match de la Tournée en Argentine 2024 🐆☀️ #ARGFRA #NeFaisonsXV pic.twitter.com/8sJtCm3gCe
Pau winger Theo Attissogbe debuts at age 19 as does Lester Etien, on the other wing, who is 10 years older.
Among the replacements, back rowers Mickael Guillard and Lenni Nouchi are also uncapped.
Only fullback Leo Barre remains from the starting line-up of France's last outing, when they edged England 33-31 in Lyon.
The second test is next Saturday, July 13 and France play a match in between, against Uruguay in Montevideo on Wednesday.
FRANCE TEAM
15-Leo Barre, 14-Theo Attissogbe, 13-Emile Gailleton, 12-Antoine Frisch, 11-Lester Etien, 10-Antoine Hastoy, 9-Baptiste Serin, 8-Jordan Joseph, 7-Oscar Jegou, 6-Judicael Cancoriet, 5-Baptiste Pesenti, 4-Hugo Auradou, 3-George-Henri Colombe, 2-Gaetan Barlot, 1-Jean-Baptiste Gros
Replacements: 16-Teddy Baubigny, 17-Sebastien Taofifenua, 18-Demba Bamba, 19-Posolo Tuilagi, 20- Mickael Guillard, 21-Lenni Nouchi, 22-Baptiste Couilloud, 23-Melvyn Jaminet.