Fit-again Michalak returns to France squad

France outhalf Frederic Michalak, who missed the Six Nations Championship game against Italy last week with a bruised collarbone…

France outhalf Frederic Michalak, who missed the Six Nations Championship game against Italy last week with a bruised collarbone, is back in the squad to play Wales in Cardiff on March 7th.

Michalak, who was instrumental in France's opening 35-17 victory over Ireland, was replaced by Julien Peyrelongue for the 25-0 win over Italy.

After winning their first two games convincingly, the French expected their first serious test in the Millennium Stadium but were disappointed by Wales's 36-15 defeat by Ireland.

"The Welsh played big games in the World Cup," France coach Bernard Laporte said. "But they were destroyed upfront by the Irish.

"They were unable to deploy their game. They love to play a broad game and run the ball. That's what they like and long to do. But when you're strangled, you can't play wide," he added.

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