France makes surprise World-Cup changes

France have sprung a number of surprises in their 30-man squad for the World Cup, which begins in September.

Lock Pascal Pape, who captained Les Bleus in their two Tests against New Zealand earlier this month, does not make the party, while Jean-Baptiste Elissalde is preferred to Dimitri Yachvili as the second-choice scrum-half.

Sebastien Chabal, of English side Sale, has been named as one of the back-row forwards, although he will act as cover for the second row, with Les Bleus having named just three locks in the squad.

Only three centres have been chosen, with coach Bernard Laporte and team manager Jo Maso preferring to go with three fly-halves. Two of those – Lionel Beauxis and David Skrela – could fill in as a centre if necessary.

Remy Martin and Yannick Nyanga, neither of whom played in the RBS 6 Nations Championship owing to injury, have both been selected.

Nyanga struggled to secure a place in Toulouse’s first team towards the end of the season.

Sylvain Marconnet is named as one of the three hookers, even though he is still recovering from a broken leg suffered while skiing during the Six Nations.

Fabien Pelous, the Toulouse lock, and Raphael Ibanez, the Wasps hooker, are set to share the captaincy during the World Cup.

France are hosting the tournament, which begins with their clash against Argentina on September 7.