Urdapilleta starts for Barbarians against Pumas

Fabrice Landreau has named his starting side for the first match between the French Barbarians and Argentina on Saturday. His reserves have yet to be decided. The game takes place at the Old Resian Club in Rosario, to be followed by a second next Friday at the La Plata Rugby Club.

The team is a mix of fringe internationals and some Top 14 veterans, along with a couple special invitees. Jocelino Suta is the only capped French international in the side, though Jean-Charles Orioli, Thibault Lassalle, Virgile Bruni, and Geoffrey Palis were included in Philippe Saint-Andre’s extended squad last September.

Most notable is the selection of Benjamín Urdapilleta at flyhalf. The former Puma won the last of his 10 caps against Georgia in June 2013, and will move from Oyonnax to Castres for the 2015/16 Top 14 season.

France 7s squad member Julien Jané, who has recently signed with Bayonne, will make his return to XVs on the wing. South African scrumhalf Heini Adams will lead the side out in the absence of tour captain Jerome Fillol, who looks set for a spot on the bench.

FRENCH BARBARIANS
1 Lucas Pointud 2 Jean-Charles Orioli 3 Walter Desmaison 4 Thibault Lassalle 5 Jocelino Suta 6 Julien Tastet 7 Karim Ghezal 8 Virgile Bruni 9 Heini Adams (capt.) 10 Benjamín Urdapilleta 11 Julien Jané 12 Julien Rey 13 Henry Chavancy 14 Benjamin Lapeyre 15 Geoffrey Palis