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Ducuing to make first France start, Plisson and Dulin return

By Peter Thompson
Bordeaux Begles and France wing Nans Ducuing

Nans Ducuing will make his first France start in the third and final Test against South Africa on Saturday, while Jules Plisson and Brice Dulin also come into the side.

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Les Bleus have already lost the series after defeats in Pretoria and Durban but have the opportunity to salvage some pride in Johannesburg this weekend.

Guy Noves has made three changes to his line-up to take on the Springboks, giving wing Ducuing his chance to make an impact from the start with Yoann Huget ruled out due to a cut to the mouth sustained in the second Test.

Fly-half Plisson is restored to the side at the expense of Francois Trinh-Duc, who drops to the bench, while full-back Dulin is preferred to Scott Spedding.

Louis Picamoles will retain his place in the back-row having shaken off a thigh injury.

France team: Brice Dulin, Nans Ducuing, Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Virimi Vakatawa, Jules Plisson, Baptiste Serin; Jefferson Poirot, Guilhem Guirado (captain), Rabah Slimani, Yoann Maestri, Romain Taofifenua, Yacouba Camara, Kevin Gourdon, Louis Picamoles.

Replacements: Clement Maynadier, Xavier Chiocci, Uini Atonio, Paul Jedrasiak, Loann Goujon, Maxime Machenaud, Francois Trinh-Duc, Vincent Rattez.

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Bull Shark 8 minutes ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically. I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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