Yachvili to replace Michalak in French squad

France scrumhalf Frederic Michalak has been ruled out with a knee injury from next Sunday's Six Nations game against Italy and will be replaced by Dimitri Yachvili.

'The decision has been taken after Michalak had medical tests. Yachvili will join the squad,' team media manager Lionel Rossigneux said on Sunday.

Michalak injured his left knee in a tackle and was carried off on a stretcher in the second minute of his Toulouse club's 29-0 win over Stade Francais yesterday.

Yachvili has won 40 caps for France, the last one in June 2009 against Australia.

After recovering from a knee injury suffered in January, he played his first game this year with his Biarritz club yesterday in Toulon, scoring a try, two conversions and two penalties. Biarritz lost the game 21-20.

Rossigneux said France's medical staff did not have any 'serious worries' about Biarritz number eight Imanol Harinordoquy, who withdrew from the game in Toulon after jamming his back during the warm-up.

France are the only unbeaten team in this year's Six Nations after wins over Scotland, Ireland and Wales. They host Italy on Sunday 14 March and England the following Saturday.