Six Nations: France coach Marc Lievremont has made three changes to his team for Saturday's Six Nations match against Italy on Saturday but has kept faith with number eight Sebastien Chabal.

Chabal, who gave a dismal performance in the 17-9 defeat to England, has retained his place in the starting line-up with Julien Bonnaire returning to the side in place of Imanol Harinordoquy on the side of the scrum.

"I watched the (England) game again. His performance, as well as Clement Poitrenaud's and Yoann Huget's, did not seem disastrous to me," said Lievremont.

Maxime Medard returns at fullback in place of Poitrenaud after missing the Twickenham clash through injury while prop Sylvain Marconnet had been preferred to Thomas Domingo.

Lievremont has also kept faith with scrumhalf Dimitri Yachvili, leaving Morgan Parra on the bench. The French coach has also been experimenting with Vincent Clerc, who usually plays on the wing, in the number nine position.

"Dimitri was a substitute in the last two November tests and in the first two Six Nations games. He started against England and even though he made a few mistakes, like others, I still trust him," said Lievremont.

"To me, they (Parra and Yachvili) lie equal and Morgan will certainly come off the bench during the game."

France, who completed a Grand Slam to win last year's championship, are third in the standings, level on points with second-placed Wales and fourth-placed Ireland.

Unbeaten England top the table while Italy are bottom following three defeats from as many games.

France team (v Italy): Maxime Medard, Yoann Huget, Aurelien Rougerie, Yannick Jauzion, Vincent Clerc, Francois Trinh-Duc, Dimitri Yachvili, Sebastien Chabal, Julien Bonnaire, Thierry Dusautoir (capt), Lionel Nallet, Julien Pierre, Nicolas Mas, William Servat, Sylvain Marconnet.

Replacements: Guilhem Guirado, Luc Ducalcon, Jerome Thion, Imanol Harinordoquy, Morgan Parra, Damien Traille, Clement Poitrenaud