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.

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"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.