MARCOUSSIS, February 1 – Veteran centre Yannick Jauzion has been left out of the French team to take on Scotland in the Six Nations opener here on Saturday with his place going to Maxime Mermoz of Perpignan.
Mermoz, who last played in the 41-13 loss to Argentina last summer, will line up in midfield alongside converted winger Aurelien Rougerie with Bayonne’s Yoann Huget and Maxime Medard of Toulouse on the wings.
Francois Trinh-Duc returns at fly-half, having missed the 59-16 drubbing at the hands of Australia in November due to injury, and will once again link up at half-back with Morgan Parra.
In the pack, Imanol Harindordoquy returns at number eight with Racing Metro powerhouse Sebstaien Chabal relegated to the bench, while former skipper Lionel Nallet is back at lock after injury.
In total eight players who played against Australia were retained in the starting line-up including Biarritz veteran Damian Traille who once again is on the move positionally – this time from fly-half to full-back.
France are the reigning Six Nations champions having completed a Grand Slam of wins over the five other teams last year.
The France XV to play Scotland in their Six Nations tournament opener against Scotland at the Stade de France here on Saturday:-
France (15-1)
Damien Traille (Biarritz); Yoann Huget (Bayonne), Aurelie Rougerie (Clermont), Maxime Mermoz (Perpignan), Maxime Médard (Toulouse); Francois Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), Morgan Parra (Clermont); Imanol Harinordoquy (Biarritz), Julien Bonnaire (Clermont), Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse, capt); Lionel Nallet (Racing-Métro), Julien Pierre (Clermont); Nicolas Mas (Perpignan), William Servat (Toulouse), Thomas Domingo (Clermont)
Replacements: Guilhem Guirado (Perpignan), Luc Ducalcon (Castres), Jerome Thion (Biarritz), Sebastien Chabal (Racing-Métro), Dimitri Yachvili (Biarritz), David Skrela (Toulouse), Clement Poitrenaud (Toulouse)
