Bastareaud on the bench as Saint-Andre rings the changes
Bastareaud is replaced by Remi Lamerat as one of five changes following Les Bleus’ 18-11 defeat to Ireland last time out.
Three other switches behind the scrum see starts for full-back Brice Dulin, wing Sofiane Guitoune and scrum-half Morgan Parra, who take over from Scott Spedding, an injured Teddy Thomas and Rory Kockott, respectively.
The only change up-front is an enforced one, with Toulon lock Romain Taofifenua deputising for Pascal Pape.
Pape is currently serving a 10-week ban after being cited for kneeing Ireland number eight Jamie Heaslip in the back in Dublin. Like Wales, France have a 50% success-rate heading into round three of the Six Nations, knowing that defeat would end any title hopes.
And Les Bleus do not have recent history on their side, with Wales having won the last three Six Nations encounters between the countries.
Meanwhile, Wales star Leigh Halfpenny might have moved his rugby life from Cardiff to the Cote d’Azur – but there remains plenty of common ground. In one obvious sea-change, Halfpenny’s training recovery routine these days often revolves around a dip in the Mediterranean on his way home.
Such is the way of things in Toulon, the place where Halfpenny has contentedly embarked on a new sporting chapter this season with rugby union’s reigning European champions.
And that is reflected in the former Cardiff Blues full-back’s current form, which he showcased with a blistering display against Scotland 10 days ago and left Wales assistant coach Shaun Edwards – among numerous other admirers — singing his praises.
France’s match-day 23 includes five of his Toulon team-mates. And the 26-year-old will relish what awaits at Stade de France as Wales look to keep alive their Six Nations title hopes.
Meanwhile, Italy coach Jacques Brunel has included two uncapped players as part of six changes to his starting XV to face Scotland in Saturday’s match at Murrayfield.
Benetton Treviso centre Enrico Bacchin and Zebre winger Michele Visentin will earn their first caps. Bacchin is to step in for Andrea Masi, who is injured. Zebre’s Dario Chistolini will replace Martin Castrogiovanni. The Toulon prop is out after being attacked by a dog in a domestic incident and needing 14 stitches.
Zebre prop Matias Aguero will replace Alberto De Marchi, who drops to the bench. Aguero started in the Azzurri’s opening defeat to Ireland in Rome. Joshua Furno is to come on in place of veteran lock Marco Bortolami, who is sidelined with a muscular injury.
Benetton Treviso flanker Simone Favaro returns to play for the Azzurri for the first time since the Autumn test against Argentina in November. Favaro takes over from veteran Mauro Bergamasco, who has been dropped.
Scotland’s Finn Russell will miss the clash with Italy after his appeal against a two-week ban was thrown out by tournament bosses. A Six Nations appeal committee rejected Scotland’s appeal against Russell’s ban for tackling Dan Biggar in the air in the 26-23 defeat to Wales on Feb 15.
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