France's belief in versatility was underlined today when they replaced injured scrumhalf Jean-Baptiste Elissalde with a flyhalf in their squad for the Six Nations match against Scotland.
Man-of-the-match Elissalde scored 24 points, including a try, in the 29-22 win over Wales on Sunday but coach Bernard Laporte decided against a like-for-like replacement, instead calling up Julien Peyrelongue, the Biarritz Olympique number 10.
"It's tough for Elissalde. He played three good games for us. I hope he'll be back quickly. We've gone for Peyrelongue, who's a specialist number 10," said Laporte.
That means Dimitri Yachvili, who was in the World Cup squad, is likely to start at the base of the scrum, with first-choice flyhalf Frederic Michalak, who has played club rugby in the number nine shirt, offering cover.
"Versatility counts for a lot," said Laporte. "It helps and means we've got cover in all positions." France, the only unbeaten side in the Six Nations, travel to Murrayfield on March 21st before hosting England in their final match.
Elissalde, the find of the tournament following the retirement of World Cup captain Fabien Galthie, is expected to be out for six week after tearing a right thigh muscle.
Laporte's love of multi-purpose players is also reflected in the rest of his back division. Clement Poitrenaud, who can play at fullback or centre, is recalled while Pepito Elhorga, who missed the Wales game with injury, is also included. He can play fullback or wing.
"Matches are played with 22 players, not 15," said team manager Jo Maso. "If things don't go well, we can swap the team around. In the old days, you only got on the pitch if there was an injury but that's changing."
France have won their first three Six Nations matches but Maso said: "We're not thinking of the grand slam. France has only won it seven times. Our target is Scotland."
France Squad:
Backs- Dimitri Yachvili (Biarritz), Frederic Michalak (Toulouse), Julien Peyrelongue (Biarritz), Yannick Jauzion (Toulouse), Clement Poitrenaud (Toulouse), Damien Traille (Pau), Vincent Clerc (Toulouse), Christophe Dominici (Stade Francais), Nicolas Brusque (Biarritz), Pepito Elhorga (Agen).
Forwards- Jean-Jacques Crenca (Agen), Pieter De Villiers (Stade Francais), Sylvain Marconnet (Stade Francais), Yannick Bru (Toulouse), William Servat (Toulouse), David Auradou (Stade Francais), Pascal Pape (Bourgoin-Jallieu), Fabien Pelous (Toulouse, captain), Serge Betsen (Biarritz), Imanol Haridornoquy (Pau), Thomas Lievremont (Biarritz), Olivier Magne (Montferrand).