Outhalf Frederic Michalak and lock Fabien Pelous were recalled yesterday as France named a 22-man squad to face England on Saturday at Twickenham.
Michalak has not played for France since a 21-16 Six Nations defeat of Wales in March 2006 and Pelous has not featured since sustaining a rib injury during a 47-3 rout by New Zealand last November. "It is time to give them a boost," said manager Jo Maso.
If he plays against world champions England, Pelous will equal Philippe Sella's French record of 111 caps. Michalak, if selected, will line up alongside scrumhalf Jean-Baptiste Elissalde.
However, Maso did not rule out fielding the pairing of David Skrela and Pierre Mignoni. "They had a good Six Nations tournament together," he said.
FRANCE SQUAD(v England, Twickenham, Saturday): Backs:Clement Poitrenaud; Aurelien Rougerie, Cedric Heymans, Vincent Clerc, David Marty, Yannick Jauzion, David Skrela, Frederic Michalak, Pierre Mignoni, Jean-Baptiste Elissalde Forwards:Remy Martin, Yannick Nyanga, Serge Betsen, Julien Bonnaire, Sebastien Chabal, Jerome Thion, Fabien Pelous, Dimitri Szarzewski, Raphael Ibanez, Jean-Baptiste Poux, Pieter De Villiers, Olivier Milloud.
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