Floch was originally dropped from the French squad

The Clermont player had originally been dropped for the home match on 23 February along with Arnaud Mela and Loic Jacquet.

But with Poitrenaud breaking his ankle while on club duty with Toulouse on Saturday, Floch has been recalled.

Coach Marc Lievremont has experimented in France's wins over Scotland and Ireland, with six players given debuts.

It isn't just the front row that we need to work on Marc Lievremont

Lievrement also included locks Romain Millo-Chluski and Pascal Pape

Pape, who has been in fine form for Stade Francais, was overlooked for the World Cup, while Millo-Chlusky is regarded as a rising star at Toulouse.

"Millo-Chluski is playing at a good level, playing well for his club, and has speed and energy," said Lievremont. "We have been following him for a long time.

"It's a tough job to drop players like Jacquet and Mela, who did everything we asked of them and they are in no way penalised."

There is no place in the squad for experienced prop Sylvain Marconnet and centre Yannick Jauzion, who have recovered from injury problems.

606: DEBATE I am not sure why Poux hasn't been picked Yannthefrog

"I have seen Sylvain come back but it is not reasonable to integrate him into the group for an international match like this," added Lievremont.

"Yannick is still in the process of coming back and is not yet at his full potential."

The French scrum, particularly prop Julien Brugnaut, struggled in the opening two games but Lievremont has backed it to come good.

"We believe in the potential of Julien and we are convinced that it is going to happen for him," said the coach.

"We have gone with continuity, that is good for their psychology, and it isn't just the front row that we need to work on."