Eight uncapped players have been chosen and several veterans recalled by France for the November rugby tests against Australia, Argentina and Samoa.
Coach Philippe Saint-Andre summoned captain and flanker Thierry Dusautoir, prop Nicolas Mas and back-rower Imanol Harinordoquy in a 33-man squad today after resting the trio for the triumphant two-test tour of Argentina in June.
Saint-Andre is not only looking to try new players next month but also move up in the world standings ahead of December's draw for the 2015 World Cup.
"They're not just tests," he said. "If we can gain a place to be at the top of the standings, that would be amazing. They are very important. It will be hard and complicated but that's the reason why it's even a nicer challenge."
The newcomers are props Yannick Forestier and Eddy Ben Arous, locks Sebastien Vahaamahina and Jocelino Suta, flanker Pierrick Gunther, flyhalf Jules Plisson, center Gael Fickou, and winger Vincent Martin.
"We've called up those players in form in the Top 14," Saint-Andre said. "We also continue to have a young player with a great future in each line.
"Ben Arous has been in all the France teams. He's beginning to be a starter at Racing Metro. Sebastien Vahaamahina and Pierrick Gunther are starters at Perpignan and Toulon. Young Plisson is making a name for himself at Stade Francais. Gael Fickou was impressive against Leicester in the European Cup. We know he is young, but we want to see him. Finally, Vincent Martin is a starter at Toulon."
Frederic Michalak is also back in the squad after impressing in Argentina, scoring 19 points in the second test after making his first start in five years.
Veteran center Aurelien Rougerie is out after having played too few matches since his return from an ankle injury.
The squad will be reduced to 23 ahead of a training camp five days before the opening test against Australia on Nov. 10. France then faces Argentina in Lille on Nov. 17 before returning to Stade de France a week later to play Samoa.
France: Forwards: Eddy Ben Arous, Thomas Domingo, Yannick Forestier, Benjamin Kayser, Christopher Tolofua, Dimitri Szarzewski, David Attoub, Vincent Debaty, Nicolas Mas, Yoann Maestri, Pascal Pape, Jocelino Suta, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Damien Chouly, Thierry Dusautoir, Pierrick Gunther, Wenceslas Lauret, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Louis Picamoles. Backs: Maxime Machenaud, Morgan Parra, Frederic Michalak, Jules Plisson, Francois Trinh-Duc, Vincent Clerc, Brice Dulin, Benjamin Fall, Gael Fickou, Wesley Fofana, Florian Fritz, Yoann Huget, Vincent Martin, Maxime Mermoz.
- AP
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