France hit by Skrela injury blow

Skrela has been a key player for France this year

Fly-half David Skrela has been ruled out of France's crucial Six Nations clash against Scotland on Saturday.

He has failed to recover from the tibia injury he sustained during the 26-18 defeat to England last weekend.

His place goes Lionel Beauxis, who has been understudy to Skrela in France's opening four games of the tournament.

"I would love to be 100% and to be able to play, but the pain prevents me (from doing so). I am very happy for Lionel," said Skrela.

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With Beauxis, 21, making the step-up to the starting XV, Damien Traille will be the replacement fly-half on Saturday.

France had already made three changes to their team for Paris.

Scrum-half Pierre Mignoni, number eight Imanol Harinordoquy and wing Cedric Heymans come into the starting line-up.

Dimitri Yachvili, Sebastien Chabal and Christophe Dominici are the players dropped in the wake of Sunday's loss at Twickenham.

Jean-Baptiste Elissalde will be Mignoni's back-up after Yachvili was dumped from the match-day 22.

We did not show enough desire, enough creativity against England France team manager Jo Maso

Chabal was also axed from the squad with number eight Elvis Vermeulen drafted onto the bench.

Les Bleus go into the final round of matches level on six points with both England and Ireland after four games.

Team manager Jo Maso said his team must rediscover the pride and flair that was missing against England to ensure they end the season on a positive note.

"To lose at Twickenham is OK, there is no shame, but you must lose with honour and that wasn't the case," he said.

"We are really hoping for more enthusiasm on Saturday.

"We must win but in a good manner, with more attacking and less caution.

"We did not show enough desire, enough creativity against England."

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France: Clement Poitrenaud; Vincent Clerc, David Marty, Yannick Jauzion, Cedric Heymans; Lionel Beauxis, Pierre Mignoni; Olivier Milloud, Raphael Ibanez, Pieter de Villiers, Lionel Nallet, Jerome Thion, Serge Betsen, Julien Bonnaire, Imanol Harinordoquy.
Replacements: Sebastien Bruno, Nicolas Mas, Pascal Pape, Elvis Vermeulen, Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, Damien Traille, Chistophe Dominici.