France coach Noves rings changes for Six Nations

France coach Noves rings changes for Six Nations

PARIS - New France coach Guy Noves rang the changes, calling up eight newcomers, including France Sevens star Virimi Vakatawa, in his 31-man squad for the upcoming Six Nations tournament.

France's Virimi Vakatawa (left) pictured during the second round of the World Series Sevens match at the Cape Town stadium in Cape Town on Dec 12, 2015.

"We tried to involve young players on every line," explained Noves, who took over following France's ignominious World Cup exit in October and a record 62-13 quarter-final defeat to winners New Zealand.

Fiji-born centre Vakatawa, 23, who started his career at Racing 92, has over the past year established himself as a star of international calibre in France's Sevens team, with his explosive and versatile style catching the eye of Noves and his coaching staff.

"We tried to build a team which will allow us to work in continuity, with an eye to the next four years," said Noves.

Scrum-half Sebastien Bezy, lock Paul Jedrasiak, flankers Yacouba Camara and Kevin Gourdon, prop Jefferson Poirot, hooker Camille Chat and centre Jonathan Danty will also join the group from January 25-27 before France open their Six Nations campaign against Italy on February 6.

The eight newcomers have already linked up with the team during group training sessions on January 4 and 11.

Veteran fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc, still recovering from a shinbone injury, has been provisionally left out of the squad and replaced by Toulouse's Jean-Marc Doussain.

"We had a discussion with Francois .. He knew that his presence depended on his performances on the pitch. We know that Francois has resumed training very seriously," said Noves.

The main surprise however was the inclusion of Stade Francais flanker Antoine Burban, also on the comeback trail after three months out injured.

Burban, 28, who has three caps, replaces South African-born flanker Bernard Le Roux, who is absent for personal reasons.

France begin their Six Nations campaign at home to Italy at the Stade de France in Paris on February 6.

In four tournaments under Noves' predecessor Philippe Saint-Andre, Les Bleus never finished above fourth and even took the wooden spoon in 2013.

Squad

Forwards (16):

Eddy Ben Arous (Racing 92), Jefferson Poirot (Bordeaux-Bègles), Uini Atonio (La Rochelle), Rabah Slimani (Stade Français), Guilhem Guirado (Toulon, cap.), Camille Chat (Racing 92), Yoann Maestri (Toulon), Alexandre Flanquart (Stade Français), Sébastien Vahaamahina (Clermont), Paul Jedrasiak (Clermont), Yacouba Camara (Toulouse), Damien Chouly (Clermont), Wenceslas Lauret (Racing 92), Louis Picamoles (Toulouse), Antoine Burban (Stade Français), Kevin Gourdon (La Rochelle).

Backs (15):

Sébastien Bézy (Toulouse), Morgan Parra (Clermont), Maxime Machenaud (Racing 92), Jules Plisson (Stade Français), Jean-Marc Doussain (Toulouse), Jonathan Danty (Stade Français), Alexandre Dumoulin (Racing 92), Wesley Fofana (Clermont), Gaël Fickou (Toulouse), Rémi Lamerat (Castres), Benjamin Fall (Montpellier), Virimi Vakatawa (FFR), Maxime Médard (Toulouse), Hugo Bonneval (Stade Français), Scott Spedding (Clermont)

Fixtures

Feb 06: v Italy (h)

Feb 13: v Ireland (h)

Feb 26: v Wales (a)

Mar 13: v Scotland (a)

Mar 19: v England (h)

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