Pelous to lead French in Six Nations opener
Toulouse forward Fabien Pelous was on Sunday named French captain for the February 5 Six Nations Championship opener against Wales at Cardiff.
French coach Bernard Laporte, who has also named a 22-man squad for the match, revealed his decision on French television programme Stade 2.
Pelous said following Toulouse's French league match against Brive on Sunday: "I consider my selection as captain as a task to accomplish rather than a reward. There is now work to be done. Bernard Laporte had several choices, but he decided on me and of course I'm pleased. But I'm not after personal glory. I don't have personal ambition just ambition for the whole team.
"I don't think this responsibility will give me any problems."
The 22-man squad will resume training on Monday, with the final 15 set to be announced on February 2.
Forwards (12): Christian Califano (Toulouse), Pieter De Villiers (Stade Francais), Franck Tournaire (Toulouse), Marc Dal Maso (Colomiers), Raphael Ibanez (Perpignan), Legi Matiu (Biarritz), Olivier Brouzet (Begles-Bordeaux), Fabien Pelous (Toulouse, cap.), Abdelatif Benazzi (Agen), Olivier Magne (Montferrand), Thomas Lievremont (Perpignan), Serge Betsen (Biarritz).
Backs (10): Fabien Galthie (Colomiers), Christophe Laussucq (Stade Francais), Christophe Lamaison (Brive), Alain Penaud (Toulouse), Richard Dourthe (Dax), David Venditti (Brive), Thomas Lombard (Stade Francais), Christophe Dominici (Stade Francais), Emile Ntamack (Toulouse), Thomas Castaignede (Castres)
1. Max Verstappen ()
