PARIS -- Looking to bounce back from the humiliation of last years wooden spoon, France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has made the risky move of choosing an untried halves pairing for Saturdays opening Six Nations match against England. Jonathan Goodwin Black Jersey . Announcing his team Thursday, Saint-Andre went for scrumhalf Jules Plisson alongside flyhalf Jean-Marc Doussain. Both are 22 years old, and Plisson makes his international debut while Doussain has played only five times for France. He also picked lock Alexandre Flanquart -- who has won only two international caps -- to play alongside Pascal Pape in the second row. "Jules has a lot of variety in his game, he had to start one day," Saint-Andre said. "Jules is fully focused. Everything will be easier for him if his teammates make an impact going forward, if the forwards win their battles. So its up to our pack to make things easier for our halves pairing, which is young and talented." Saint-Andre will give the kicking duties to Doussain, adding that Flanquarts selection is a strategic one because of his understanding with Pape, his Stade Francais teammate, and his ability to counter England in the lineouts. More surprisingly still, is that Saint-Andre has left out flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc from his squad, even though Trinh-Duc was arguably Frances best player in the corresponding fixture last year. France looked good for a win at Twickenham last year, leading 10-9 at the interval before being overpowered and losing 23-13 with Trinh-Duc taken off early into the second half. Wesley Fofana and Mathieu Bastareaud give France a powerful midfield in what is expected to be a physical battle at Stade de France. But the deciding factor is once again likely to be who comes out on top in the forwards. "We know from experience that the English have a powerful scrum. We know what to expect. Every time Ive played against them the scrum has always been a big combat zone," said veteran prop Nicolas Mas, who is set to win his 66th cap. "Last year we took them on well in the forwards, and we even thought we could win at Twickenham because we unsettled them so much." Englands young squad is growing in self-belief and experience under Stuart Lancaster and will want to make amends for a 30-3 defeat to Wales last year that cost the title and a Grand Slam. "We had one day in Cardiff when it didnt go as we would have wanted, but since then the focus has been on us improving," lock Joe Launchbury said. "Hopefully we showed where we are in the autumn and well continue to do that." While France has injury problems -- inspirational captain Thierry Dusautoir and flyhalf Remi Tales are both out injured, while prolific winger Vincent Clerc is still lacking full fitness after a long-term knee injury -- England has selection problems. Lancaster pleaded with flyhalf Toby Flood to stay home for club and country, but had to axe him from his squad because Flood, with 60 caps has decided to leave English champion Leicester, which he captains, for Toulouse after the season. The uncapped George Ford replaces him in the squad, while Lancaster handed debuts to outside centre Luther Burrell and wing Jack Nowell for Saturdays game. Burrell has impressed throughout the season for Northampton, and starts ahead of Brad Barritt. Nowell has benefited from injuries to Marland Yarde and Christian Wade to seize the right wing spot from the axed Chris Ashton. France is favourite to win the battle of the forwards, however, with a front five that can mix it with the worlds best on their day, and England are braced to withstand an early onslaught in the scrum. "Id say weve removed any lingering doubt over our physicality, but the question will continue to be asked," Launchbury said. "We went to Argentina and played well there. We had three tough autumn matches and I dont think anyone could say we lacked bite in those matches." -- France: Brice Dulin, Yoann Huget, Mathieu Bastareaud, Wesley Fofana, Maxime Medard, Jules Plisson, Jean-Marc Doussain; Louis Picamoles, Bernard Le Roux, Yannick Nyanga, Pascal Pape, Alexandre Flanquart, Nicolas Mas, Benjamin Kayser, Thomas Domingo.Reserves: Dimitri Szarzewksi, Yannick Forestier, Rabah Slimani, Yoann Maestri, Antoine Burban, Damien Chouly, Maxime Machenaud, Gael Fickou. England: Mike Brown, Jack Nowell, Luther Burrell, Billy Twelvetrees, Jonny May, Owen Farrell, Danny Care; Joe Marler, Dylan Hartley, Dan Cole, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Tom Wood, Chris Robshaw (captain), Billy Vunipola.Reserves: Tom Youngs, Mako Vunipola, Henry Thomas, Dave Attwood, Ben Morgan, Lee Dickson, Brad Barritt, Alex Goode. Terron Armstead Black Jersey . Here are some of the best from Week Three and players to watch for Week Four: TOP PERFORMERS Andrew Harris, RB, British Columbia (203 YDS, 1 TD, 23 touches at Saskatchewan) - 27-year-old Canadian runner had compiled 3341 yards and 22 touchdowns from scrimmage over the previous two seasons and he burst through with a monster game against the Roughriders last week. Brandin Cooks Black Jersey . The word is out: theyre not to be taken lightly. Now, its not just that theyre winning, but its how theyre winning and who theyre beating that has put Toronto back on the NBA radar.TORONTO -- Toronto FC manager Ryan Nelsen fears Brazilian midfielder Jackson could face a ban for an off-the-ball incident on the weekend. "Theyre looking into it and well probably hear pretty soon," Nelsen said Tuesday, referencing the MLS. "I would say, as a guess, he probably might get a suspension." Jackson was yellow-carded in the 50th minute for an apparent elbow as players jostled in the buildup to a free kick in Saturdays 1-0 win over D.C. United. Nelsen said D.C. United midfielder Davy Arnaud was goading Jackson. "He shouldnt have retaliated but I can understand it," he said of the Brazilian. But Nelsen says he isnt about to shackle Jackson. "He just wants to win, the guy. Thats all he wants to do is he wants to win. Hell learn through experience, maybe theres better ways to do it. "But Id rather have guys who are wanting to win than little sheep out there. I understand weve got to tell him theres certain rules and regulations weve got to adhere to. "But theres a fire in Jackson that I really like and appreciate and he brings a lot of energy to this club." Toroonto travels to Utah this weekend to play Real Salt Lake. Kyle Wilson Black Jersey. And Nelsen was quick to point to Real Salt Lake forwards Alvaro Saborios weekend foul on A.J. DeLaGarza of the Los Angeles Galaxy. Saborio got a yellow card for the late challenge, with Galaxy players suggesting it should have been red. With Real Salt Lake already suffering a glut of injuries at forward, Nelsen did some campaigning Tuesday to reduce the RSL strike force by one more. "That could have broken his leg," Nelsen said of the Saborio challenge. "So if Jackson gets suspended, then youd like to hope that a guy whos nearly broken a guys leg is probably going to get suspended as well. "But I dont know, you never know. I dont make those rules." Jackson himself said he did not think a suspension is warranted, calling the incident "something that happened in the moment." NOTES: Midfielder Jeremy Hall and striker Jordan Hamilton were both back in training Monday after recovering from injury ... 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