Scrum-half Sebastien Tillous-Borde looks set to boost France in their stuttering RBS 6 Nations campaign after he was named in the 30-man squad to prepare for their trip to Wales on Saturday week.
The Toulon player is back from a knee injury after missing Les Bleus's first two outings, a 15-8 win against Scotland and a 18-11 defeat in Ireland.
Tillous-Borde paired up with fly-half Camille Lopez for last November's three test matches and the association proved solid throughout.
Rory Kockott, who was largely disappointing when he deputised at scrum-half against Scotland and Ireland, is out of the squad with a thigh injury, as well as wing Teddy Thomas, out with an ankle problem after two below-par performances, too.
Second row Pascal Papé was included in the squad, pending the result of his disciplinary hearing for kneeing Ireland's Jamie Heaslip in a ruck last Saturday. The verdict was expected later on Thursday.
France head coach Philippe Saint-Andre will name his team for the Wales clash next Wednesday.
France squad to face Wales
Forwards: Eddy Ben Arous, Vincent Debaty, Uini Atonio, Rabah Slimani, Guilhem Guirado, Benjamin Kayser, Yoann Maestri, Pascal Papé, Jocelino Suta, Romain Taofifenua, Thierry Dusautoir, Wenceslas Lauret, Bernard Le Roux, Yannick Nyanga, Damien Chouly, Loann Goujon
Backs: Morgan Parra, Sébastien Tillous-Borde, Pierre Bernard, Camille Lopez, Rémi Talès, Mathieu Bastareaud, Gaël Fickou, Wesley Fofana, Rémi Lamerat, Sofiane Guitoune, Yoann Huget, Noa Nakaitaci, Brice Dulin, Scott Spedding
