Penaud back in French fold

Alain Penaud has recovered from a groin injury

Fly-half Alain Penaud will make his first Six Nations start this year when France take on Italy at the Stade de France.

Penaud, who injured his groin after being called up to replace Christophe Lamaison, will partner Toulon's Aubin Hueber at scrum-half.

Hueber, who celebrates his 33rd birthday next Wednesday, has not tasted international action since the 1995 World Cup in South Africa.

Brive forward Lionel Mallier wins his fourth cap in place of veteran Abdelatif Benazzi, who was replaced during the demoralising 27-25 loss against Ireland.

Emile Ntamack moves from full-back to centre and will partner Richard Dourthe, who is back in the side after recovering from a fractured cheekbone.

Laporte maintains his faith in captain Fabien Pelous in the second row, while Thomas Lievremont to remains at number eight.

French team:

Castaignede (Castres), Bernat-Salles (Biarritz), Dourthe (Dax), Ntamack (Toulouse), Bory (Montferrand), Penaud (Toulouse), Hueber (Toulon), Califano (Toulouse), Dal Maso (Colomiers), Tournaire (Toulouse), Pelous (Toulouse, capt), Brouzet (Begles-Bordeaux), Magne (Montferrand), Lievremont (Perpignan), Mallier (Brive).

Replacements: Ibanez (Perpignan), De Villiers (Stade Francais), Miorin (Toulouse), Benazzi (Agen), Laussucq (Stade Francais), Heymans (Agen), Venditti (Brive).