| Rugby Union World Cup: France ring changes for Irish game |
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| Written by Zico Kelly | |||||||
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Thursday, 20 September 2007
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 Bernard Laporte, France´s eccentric coach, has ditched centre Yannick Jauzion from his side for Friday´s crunch clash with Ireland. French selectors are going to persevere with the midfield partnership of David Marty and Damien Traille who looked sharp during the thrashing of minnows Namibia at the weekend. Online betting shop Bodog has France -600 odds to beat Ireland in their Rugby Union World Cup 2007 match.Laporte makes four changes in total from the side which began the Namibia game. Arguably the most significant of those changes sees skipper Raphael Ibanez start at hooker after a bout of illness. It´s a new look front row for the French with props Olivier Milloud and Pieter De Villiers. Influential flanker Serge Betsen is also included in the side. Lionel Nallet makes way for Sebastien Chabal at lock with Imanol Harinordoquy left out despite reports that clain he is now 100% fit. Both sides desperately need to win the game to maintain their progress to the knockout phase and Ireland will start the game as underdogs. Brian O´Driscoll´s men were a total shambles as they limped to a narrow win over Georgia in their last game. The Irish, who were fancied as dark horses going into the World Cup 2007, must win their next two matches ˆ against France and Argentina to be certain of not being eliminated. Point-Spreads.com expect France to win fairly comfortably. Bodog has posted rugby betting odds on the France vs Ireland World Cup match: Rugby Union - World Cup 2007 - Group D Friday, September 21, 2007 at 3:00 PM EST France -12½ (-135) -600 Ireland +12½ (+105) +350 Draw: +2500                        |
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| Last Updated ( Thursday, 20 September 2007 ) | |||||||