Guilhem Guirado named new France captain

Guilhem Guirado in action for France at the Rugby World Cup on September 19, 2015
© AFP
New France head coach Guy Noves names Toulon hooker Guilhem Guirado as his captain following the retirement of Thierry Dusautoir.

France head coach Guy Noves has named hooker Guilhem Guirado as the new captain of the national team.

Guirado, 29, will lead France into the Six Nations in February and March having succeeded Thierry Dusautoir as skipper following the flanker's post-World Cup retirement.

Noves is also new in the job having taken over from Philippe Saint-Andre after France's 62-13 drubbing by New Zealand in the quarter-final last year.

"I made it official at the end of the afternoon. He is the right person at the right time. I discussed it with him on Sunday," Noves told L'Equipe.

Guirado, who plays his club rugby for Toulon, made his debut for France against Italy in 2008 and has since gone on to make 38 appearances for the national side.

His first match as captain will also come against Italy when they open their Six Nations campaign at the Stade de France on February 6.

Toulouse's French General Manager Guy Noves looks on before the French Top 14 rugby union match between Toulouse and Oyonnax on May 30, 2015
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