France stick with winning formula

France have opted to keep faith with the majority of the squad that did so well during the second half of 2005 as they go in search of glory at the RBS 6 Nations.

However, team manager Jo Maso is happy they also have enough strength in depth to ensure players currently in possession of a first-team spot do not rest on their laurels.

“We will count on the team from November but competition still exists within the group and that’s for the best,” said Maso.

France, who enjoyed a flawless autumn campaign with wins over Australia, South Africa, Canada and Tonga, start the 2006 Six Nations on February 5 against Scotland at Murrayfield.

They are set to be skippered by Fabien Pelous as the veteran lock was recalled by coach Bernard Laporte after serving a nine-week suspension for elbowing an Australian opponent during the match on November 5.

Winger Christophe Dominici and full-back Nicolas Brusque are also back in the squad, while Bourgoin fly-half Benjamin Boyet has received his first call-up.

Maso added: “Boyer is a newcomer within the team. He has already played with the under-21 side and put in good performances. He is a good defender, he is fast and takes the initiative.”

France, who finished second in last year’s Six Nations tournament behind Wales, will start this year’s event as favourites to claim back the crown they won in 2004.

It looks to be a fairly straightforward curtain-raiser against a Scotland side that finished second-bottom last year, but Maso is predicting a testing outing for his side.

“We travel to Scotland to win,” said Maso. “The Scots were not that bad against the All Blacks recently and we have a lot of respect for them. We know it’s never easy to play at Murrayfield.

“Fabien Pelous will be our captain while Jerome Thion, who led the team in November after Pelous’ suspension, will be our vice-captain.”

Laporte and Maso will announce their starting line-up on January 31.

France squad for RBS Six Nations:

Backs: J Elissalde (Toulouse), D Yachvili (Biarritz), F Michalak (Toulouse), B Boyet (Bourgoin), Y Jauzion (Toulouse), F Fritz (Toulouse), L Valbon (Brive), C Dominici (Stade Francais), C Heymans (Toulouse), N Brusque (Biarritz).

Forwards: S Bruno (Sale), D Szarzewski (Stade Francais), S Marconnet (Stade Francais), P De Villiers (Stade Francais), O Milloud (Bourgoin), J Thion (Biarritz), F Pelous (Toulouse), L Nallet (Castres), Y Nyanga (Toulouse), J Bonnaire (Bourgoin), R Martin (Stade Francais), T Lievremont (Biarritz).