Goujon, Le Roux come into French back-row

Mar 17, 2016 - 9:56 AM France have reshaped their back-row as they attempt to prevent England from completing the Six Nations Grand Slam in Paris on Saturday.

Les Bleus coach Guy Noves responded to last weekend's defeat to Scotland at Murrayfield by drafting Loann Goujon and Bernard Le Roux into the back-row.

Damien Chouly switches to blindside flanker to make room for Bordeaux-Begles No.8 Goujon to win his 10th cap.

Gone from the 29-18 defeat in Edinburgh are flankers Yacouba Camara and Wenceslas Lauret, but the rest of the side is unchanged as France seek to bounce back from successive defeats to Scotland and Wales.

"We need to bring the freshness in the team for Saturday's game," Noves was quoted as saying on the French Rugby Federation's official Twitter account.

"I believe in our team. I am sure that our team can take on great challenges.

"I believe our team can compete with the power of the English.

"This team is young, but we give them our confidence."

England have already won the Six Nations title but victory at the Stade de France will give them their first Grand Slam since 2003.

France:

Scott Spedding, Wesley Fofana, Gael Fickou, Maxime Mermoz, Virimi Vakatawa, Francois Trinh-Duc, Maxime Machenaud, Loann Goujon, Bernard Le Roux, Damien Chouly, Alexandre Flanquart, Yoann Maestri, Rabah Slimani, Guilhem Guirado (capt), Jefferson Poirot. Replacements: Camille Chat, Uini Atonio, Xavier Chiocci, Paul Jedresiak, Wenceslas Lauret, Sebastien Bezy, Jules Plisson, Maxime Medard.

Source: AAP