France go with Wesley Fofana and Mathieu Bastareaud

Seb Tillous-Borde and Freddie Michalak is the half-back pairing for England game

France’s centre Mathieu Bastareaud and outhalf Frederic Michalak take part in a training session in Marcoussis. Photograph: Getty Images
France’s centre Mathieu Bastareaud and outhalf Frederic Michalak take part in a training session in Marcoussis. Photograph: Getty Images

France have selected first-choice centre pairing Wesley Fofana and Mathieu Bastareaud for Saturday's World Cup warm-up match against England in Paris.

Fofana and Bastareaud, who will line up opposite Luther Burrell and Jonathan Joseph, feature outside the Toulon half-back pairing of Seb Tillous-Borde and Freddie Michalak.

Louis Picamoles, France's most destructive player in their 19-14 defeat at Twickenham last Saturday, continues at number eight while lock Pascal Pape captains the side.

France has made twelve changes in total from that game - only Picamoles, Scott Spedding and Yoann Maestri retain a place.

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Head coach Philippe Saint-André has already spoke of his intention to see all of his players on the field before making a final decision on their 31-man World Cup squad.

France: S Spedding; Y Huget, M Bastareaud, W Fofana, N Nakaitaci; F Michalak, S Tillous-Borde; E B Arous, G Guirado, R Slimani, P Pape (capt), Y Maestri, D Chouly, B le Roux, L Picamoles.

Replacements: B Kayser, V Debaty, U Atonio, A Flanquart, Y Nyanga, R Kockott, R Tales, G Fickou.