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Bastareaud handed Six Nations lifeline

Mathieu Bastareaud is back in action with France © Getty Images

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France coach Marc Lievremont has recalled controversial centre Mathieu Bastareaud to his squad for the Six Nations. Bastreaud has not featured in the national setup since causing a furore by fabricating an assault story when on tour in New Zealand last summer.

After victory over South Africa and a heavy loss to New Zealand in November Lievremont has shuffled his deck, dropping established back-three options Maxime Medard and Cedric Heymans, as well as overlooking the claims of Toulouse centre Florian Fritz and Stade fly-half Lionel Beauxis.

Clermont Auvergne captain Aurelien Rougerie is recalled, with Toulouse's Clement Poitrenaud given the nod ahead of his younger team-mate Medard. Jean-Baptiste Elissalde returns to the fold after injury and is joined by Bourgoin pivot Benjamin Boyet. There is no place for Frederic Michalak, leaving Elissalde with a run at Francois Trinh-Duc in the No.10 jersey.

Brive utility back Fabrice Estebanez has bagged a first call-up and Castres prop Luc Ducalcon gets another chance for a first cap after being selected in November and forced to withdraw through injury. Biarritz powerhouse Imanol Harinordoquy also returns from injury, but impressive Perpignan hooker Guilhem Guirado is omitted.

France squad for 2010 Six Nations:

Forwards: Thomas Domingo, Luc Ducalcon, Sylvain Marconnet, Nicolas Mas, William Servat, Dimitri Szarzewski, Sebastien Chabal, Romain Millo-Chluski, Lionel Nallet, Pascal Pape, Julien Bonnaire, Thierry Dusautoir, Imanol Harinordoquy, Alexandre Lapandry, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Louis Picamoles

Backs: Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, Morgan Parra, Benjamin Boyet, Francois Trinh-Duc, Mathieu Bastareaud, Fabrice Estebanez, David Marty, Yannick Jauzion, Vincent Clerc, Benjamin Fall, Julien Malzieu, Aurelien Rougerie, Alexis Palisson, Clement Poitrenaud

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