Giants ace Moore thanks Nathan Brown ahead of England cap

Jun 12 2009 By Chris Roberts

"Nathan has been fantastic, and I can’t remember the last time I was enjoying my rugby this much," said.

"He really does know how to bring the very best out of you, and I know I owe a lot to this England appearance to him."

While England are looking in good shape for this weekend’s Test, hosts France have named a team shorn of seven regulars.

Sebastien Raguin, Jamal Fakir (both knee) and Dimitri Pelo (ankle) had already been ruled but three other Catalans Dragons – winger Cyril Stacul (broken thumb), prop David Ferriol (sprained ankle) and second-rower Olivier Elima (eye) – will be missing too.

Carcassone’s Christophe Moly is also absent because of personal reasons.

New Les Tricolores coach Bobbie Goulding has therefore been forced to name a patched-up starting XIII.

Uncapped 21-year-old Frederick Vaccari, who has yet to play for Catalans in Super League, will start on the wing, while versatile Toulouse player Constant Villegas will be at full-back.

Nine of the team play for Catalans, with three coming from Co-operative Championship club Toulouse and the other – scrum-half Mikael Murcia – at Limoux.