France unchanged for England clash

PARIS, France -- France have named an unchanged team for their World Cup semifinal against England in Paris on Saturday.

Coach Bernard Laporte has kept faith with the same 22 that sensationally defeated New Zealand 20-18 in last weekend's quarterfinal in Cardiff.

Frederic Michalak was unable to displace Lionel Beauxis at fly-half, despite being heavily influential when he came on as a second-half substitute against the All Blacks.

Damien Traille, who normally plays at center, keeps his place at full-back, while Serge Betsen and Olivier Milloud have recovered from knocks sustained last weekend to start against revitalized world champions England.

Laporte insisted the team selection was not an emotional choice following the amazing defeat of the All Blacks.

"So far we have chosen five different teams for five different games, and we have chosen those teams on a sporting and mental criteria.

"The eight not on the pitch are as important as the 22 on it. We trust all of them. "Hopefully we have two more matches to go - that is the objective."

France are bidding to revenge a 24-7 defeat to England in the semifinals of the 2003 World Cup and are wary of the strength of their defense and the boot of Jonny Wilkinson.

"In our case we are looking at Wilkinson as he is the world's best kicker, and we need to be careful what he does.

"I am confident we have made the right choices," said Laporte.

It is the first time since November 2004 that Laporte has named the same team for back-to-back games.

France team:

Damien Traille; Vincent Clerc, David Marty, Yannick Jauzion; Cedric Heymans; Lionel Beauxis, Jean-Baptiste Elissalde; Julien Bonnaire, Thierry Dusautoir, Serge Betsen; Jerome Thion, Fabien Pelous; Pieter de Villiers, Raphael Ibanez (capt), Olivier Milloud

Replacements: Dimitri Szarzewski, Jean-Baptiste Poux, Sebastien Chabal, Imanol Harinordoquy, Frederic Michalak, Clement Poitrenaud, Christophe Dominici E-mail to a friend