Wigglesworth not shocked by Parra at fly half

France's decision to persevere with Morgan Parra at fly half for a third successive match when they play England in the Rugby World Cup 2011 quarter-finals might have resulted in some raised eyebrows - but it comes as no surprise to England scrum half Richard Wigglesworth.

Prior to Les Bleus' coach Marc Lièvremont handing Parra the No.10 shirt for the pool match against New Zealand, the Clermont Auvergne scrum half had never played at fly half.

The switch is something that Wigglesworth has dealt with from time to time during his club career, first at Sale Sharks and now with English champions Saracens.

"I think it is something more in the French culture," Wigglesworth said. "Philippe Saint-André was the guy who did it with me at Sale.

"It is in their culture that the nine and 10 change around and it happens a lot over there. Jean-Baptiste Elissalde played at 10 after 10 years as a nine.

"They are all good footballers so can easily change between them."

Despite losing 37-17 to New Zealand, Lièvremont opted not to replace Parra with his previous first-choice fly half, François Trinh-Duc, and France then lost 19-14 to Tonga.

Biggest upset

Wigglesworth does not feel England should read too much into the Tonga result, regarded as the biggest upset in the pool stage of RWC 2011.

"I think France knew that they were through and I think that had a big bearing on the game," Wigglesworth said.

"Tonga were pumped up and I think it will be a very different France team on Saturday."

Now Lièvremont is hoping for third time lucky when France meet England, with Parra set to line up alongside Dimitri Yachvili at scrum half.

France also hope to avoid losing three games in a row for the first time since 2008, when they lost to Wales and then twice to Australia.

England, meanwhile, hold the upper hand in meetings between the two sides at Rugby World Cups with three wins to France's one. They also won the two most recent matches, in the RWC semi-finals in 2003 and 2007.

"I don't think it really matters as we've played France a lot," Wigglesworth said when asked about England's record.

"They are always tough and difficult games when we play France."

Happy memories

Wigglesworth has happy memories of playing against Les Bleus. His first England start came in the Six Nations match against France in Paris and he marked the occasion with a try in the 24-13 win.

"It was my first start and great to get an away win over France," recalled Wigglesworth. "I didn't score a particularly good try, it was just a five-yard dash over the try line."

Wigglesworth started England's RWC 2011 opener against Argentina, missed out on the match with Georgia and then came off the bench to replace Ben Youngs against Romania and Scotland.

His introduction against Scotland increased England's speed and sharpness and manager Martin Johnson has a tough choice to decide who will start against France.

"Obviously I would like to play, but I have said all along that it is a team game,"

Wigglesworth said. "I'm used to it at Saracens, but it is the management's call and I have to get on with it.

"If Johno wants me to start, then great. If he wants me to come off the bench then great. I just want to be a positive member of the squad."