Toulon powerhouse centre Mathieu Bastareaud has been called-up by France head-coach Philippe Saint-André for the upcoming RBS Six Nations today.
Bastareaud’s last involvement with Les Bleus dates back to March 2010 against England where he was instrumental as France claimed the Grand Slam.
But the 24-year-old 6ft 18st monster fell down the pecking order in the last two years only to find a new lease of life this season with long-time fan and former France head-coach Bernard Laporte joining Toulon as Director of Rugby.
The other main news is the return of Thierry Dusautoir, who missed the Autumn Series with a knee injury, but the Toulouse openside will not captain the side as Stade Francais lock Pascal Pape retains the armband he wore in November.
After a disappointing campaign last winter, France have beaten Australia, Argentina and Samoa in the autumn to claim the coveted 4th seed in the IRB World Rankings ahead of the 2015 World Cup draw last month.
They will kick off their Six Nations’ campaign on February 3rd with a trip to Italy and will face England at HQ on February 23.
The Squad: Thomas Domingo (Clermont), Vincent Debaty (Clermont), David Attoub (Stade Francais), Luc Ducalcon (Castres),Yannick Forestier (Castres), Nicolas Mas (Perpignan); Dimitri Szarzewski (Racing Metro), Guilhem Guirado (Perpignan), Benjamin Kayser (Clermont); Yohan Maestri (Toulouse), Romain Taofifenua (Perpignan), Pascal Papé (Stade Francais, capt.), Jocelino Suta (Toulon); Damien Chouly (Clermont), Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse), Yannick Nyanga (Toulouse), Wanceslas Lauret (Biarritz), Louis Picamoles (Toulouse), Fulgence Ouedraogo (Montpellier); Maxime Machenaud (Racing Metro), Morgan Parra (Clermont), Frederic Michalak (Toulon), Francois Trinh-Duc (Montpellier); Floriant Fritz (Toulouse), Gael Fickou (Toulouse),Mathieu Bastareaud (Toulon), Maxime Mermoz (Toulon); Vincent Clerc (Toulouse), Benjamin Fall (Racing Metro), Wesley Fofana (Clermont), Yohan Huget (Toulouse), Jean-Marcel Buttin (Clermont), Brice Dulin (Castres).