Christian Califano has been drafted into France's 22-man squad for their Six Nations Championship opener against England on 15 February.

Califano has won two Grand Slams with France

The 30-year-old prop, whose last of his 65 international caps was back in June 2001, replaces Pieter De Villiers, who has been dropped after testing positive for cocaine and ecstasy.

Califano, a member of two French Grand Slam winning sides, dropped out of contention for international matches after a move to New Zealand last year.

But he returned to the northern hemisphere this season and has been in impressive form with Saracens.

"Califano would have been with us anyway," said France coach Bernard Laporte.

"He showed through his club performances and his physical tests that he was back at his best."

Powerful winger Aurelien Rougerie also returns after a series of throat operations, as does Xavier Garbajosa.

Nicolas Brusque, full-back against South Africa, New Zealand and Canada in last November's Tests, has been left out after suffering a rib injury.

The French are also without New Zealand-born centre Tony Marsh who will miss the whole Six Nations campaign after a groin operation.

Laporte will delay naming his starting XV until 11 February.

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France squad:

Forwards: Jean-Jacques Crenca (Agen), Sylvan Marconnet (Stade Francais), Christian Califano (Saracens, Eng), Raphael Ibanez (Castres), Jean-Baptiste Rue (Agen), Fabien Pelous (Toulouse), Olivier Brouzet (Montferrand), Didier Auradou (Stade Francais), Olivier Magne (Montferrand), Serge Betsen (Biarritz), Sebastien Chabal (Bourgoin), Imanol Harinordoquy (Pau).

Backs: Fabien Galthie (Stade Francais, capt), Dimitri Yachvili (Biarritz), Gerald Merceron (Montferrand), Francois Gelez (Agen), Damien Traille (Pau), Thomas Castaignede (Saracens, Eng), Clement Poitrenaud (Toulouse), Xavier Garbajosa (Toulouse), Vincent Clerc (Toulouse), Aurelien Rougerie (Montferrand).