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Head coach Marc Lievremont at Onewa Domainin, Auckland. INPHO/Photosport/Ella Brockelsby
As You Were

Plus ca change... Lievremont names same French side for World Cup decider

France coach trusts the men who got him to the tournament decider as Les Bleus attempt to shock the All Blacks.

MARC LIEVREMONT HAS decided to stick with the tried and tested.

The France coach has named an unchanged team for Sunday’s World Cup final against New Zealand in Auckland.

The French are there, of course, on the back of a 9-8 win over Wales last Saturday. And the same XV will be expected to do the same again against the much-favoured hosts on Sunday morning.

Lievremont will confirm his replacements later in the week.

“We are in the final match and every time we play them it is the same thing,” the coach said. “They are always the favourites. I believe in my team and I believe they can win.

“Fifteen men in white will come on the field and 15 men in black will come on the field and the best team will win.”

Team to face All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup final: Medard; Clerc, Rougerie, Mermoz, Palisson; Parra, Yachvili; Poux, Servat, Mas, Pape, Nallett, Dusautoir (captain), Bonnaire, Harinordoquy.

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