Rugby:France coach Marc Lievremont has bulked up and will rely on a heavyweight backrow as they attempt to contain South Africa in their first Test against the World champions at Stade Toulouse on Friday.
Regular number eight Imanol Harinordoquy and Louis Picamoles have both been included in a physical pack, while the side will be led by the new official team captain Thierry Dusautoir.
"We picked a backrow that offers a lot of guarantees in terms of power and experience," said Lievremont at the team's training camp in Marcoussis.
Lievremont kept faith with the half back pairing of Julien Dupuy and Francois Trinh-Duc rather than bringing in Frederic Michalak, who is not in the match day 22.
Having re-jigged other areas of the backline, Damien Traille was moved from centre to fullback – ahead of Maxime Medard - to counter the aggressive field kicking of the Springboks.
Traille's move allowed for the selection of the youthful centre pairing of Maxime Mermoz, a 23-year-old with four test caps, and 21-year-old Yann David, who will earn his second cap.
"Maxime is the in-form centre of the French championship but we had a long discussion before selecting Yann ahead of David Marty who is Mermoz's team mate with Perpignan," added Lievremont.
"We went for the robustness of David because we think power will be important against the Springboks."
Heineken Cup record try-scorer Vincent Clerc and his Toulouse teammate Cedric Heymans occupy the two wings.
Former team captain Lionel Nallet reclaims his place in the secondrow after missing the tour to New Zealand earlier this year but his club mate Sebastien Chabal has to settle for a spot on the bench alongside Dimitri Szarzewski - William Servat got the nod ahead of Szarzewski.
Asked if he had considered selecting Chabal in the backrow, the French coach answered with a blunt "no" before adding: "Even if he is less explosive than Chabal, Picamoles has proved his worth in terms of power."
France (v South Africa):D Traille, V Clerc, Y David, M Mermoz, C Heymans, F Trinh-Duc, J Dupuy, L Picamoles, I Harinordoquy, T Dusautoir (Captain), R Millo-Chluski, L Nallet, N Mas, W Servat, F Barcella Replacements: D Szarzewski, S Marconnet, S Chabal, J Bonnaire, M Parra, D Marty, M Medard
