Six Nations: Captain Fabien Pelous, wing Christophe Dominici and fullback Nicolas Brusque were recalled to France's squad for their Six Nations opener against Scotland at Murrayfield.
France coach Bernard Laporte kept faith with most of the players who defeated Australia and South Africa last November. The only uncapped player in the squad is Bourgoin flyhalf Benjamin Boyet, who was selected as cover for Frederic Michalak ahead of Yann Delaigue.
"Benjamin benefits from Yann Delaigue's injury," France team manager Jo Maso said. "We decided to rely on the players who gave us full satisfaction in November against South Africa and Australia when they were available," Maso added.
Saracens back Thomas Castaignede, Delaigue and wing Aurelien Rougerie were not considered because of injuries. "We are of course sorry for Thomas because he made a great comeback in November but he pulled a thigh muscle on Saturday in the Heineken Cup match against Biarritz," Maso said. "We talked to him this morning and he told us he should be fit again in two weeks."
Castaignede would probably have started the Scotland game at fullback. He will be replaced by Brusque, who was France's first choice fullback during the World Cup in Australia but has since suffered a series of shoulder and muscle injuries.
Pelous missed the last three games of the November series because he was suspended for nine weeks for elbowing Australia hooker Brendan Cannon. "The return of Fabien is pure logic. He's our captain and he proved with Toulouse in the Heineken Cup that he was fully fit," Maso said.
Dominici won the last of his 47 caps when he was knocked unconscious during France's 56-13 win over Italy in last season's Six Nations. "Christophe was injured in November. He is one of our best wings. We want to win the Six Nations because it's a true competition and we want to field the best players available," Maso added.
France Six Nations Squad:
Backs: Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, Dimitri Yachvili, Frederic Michalak, Benjamin Boyet, Yannick Jauzion, Florian Fritz, Ludovic Valbon, Cedric Heymans, Christophe Dominici Nicolas Brusque.
Forwards: Pieter de Villiers, Sylvain Marconnet, Olivier Milloud, Sebastien Bruno, Dimitri Szarzewski, Fabien Pelous (captain), Jerome Thion, Lionel Nallet, Yannick Nyanga, Thomas Lievremont, Remy Martin, Julien Bonnaire.
