France recalled prop Christian Califano and selected Xavier Garbajosa ahead of Thomas Castaignede as outside centre for their Six Nations clash withEngland at Twickenham on Saturday.
Califano (30) won the last of his 65 caps, a record for a French prop forward, in June 2001 before severing links with the national team when he moved to New Zealand in June 2001 to play for the Auckland Blues.
He moved back to Europe when he joined the London Saracens at the beginning of the European season and quickly persuaded France coach Bernard Laporte he was back at his best.
Califano will replace Pieter De Villiers, who has been dropped at least for the duration of the championship after testing positive for the recreational drugs cocaine and ecstasy.
"If Pieter had been with us, Califano would have been on the bench. He is promoted to the starting line-up. It's purely logical," Laporte said.
The main shock among the backs was the selection of Xavier Garbajosa ahead of Thomas Castaignede, who made a dramatic comeback last November two years after his career was interrupted by an Achilles tendon injury.
"Castaignede complained yesterday evening of back trouble and will have a scan today but Gabajosa was our first choice anyway because he is in top form," team manager Jo Maso said.
The Saracens utility back will be among the replacements if doctors give him the go-ahead.
Laporte made only two other changes to last season's grandslam-winning team.
Clement Poitrenaud, who made his winning debut against World champions Australia and South African in November 2001 when he was still a teenager but was sidelined last season by a series of injuries, edged out Nicolas Brusque in the fullback position.
Vincent Clerc kept the wing three-quarter slot he won when he faced New Zealand's intimidating Jonah Lomu last November.
France- 15-Clement Poitrenaud; 14-Aurelien Rougerie,13-Xavier Garbajosa, 12-Damien Traille, 11- Vincent Clerc;10-Gerald Merceron, 9-Fabien Galthie (captain); 8-ImanolHarinordoquy, 7-Olivier Magne, 6-Serge Betsen, 5-OlivierBrouzet, 4-Fabien Pelous, 3-Christian Califano, 2-RaphaelIbanez, 1-Jean-Jacques Crenca.