Bastareaud back in French squad

Marcoussis, France : Controversial centre Mathieu Bastareaud was recalled to France's starting line-up for this weekend's Six Nations opener against Scotland as coach Marc Lievremont made several changes to his squad named yesterday.

The 21-year-old Stade Francais player lost his place after making false claims he had been the victim of an attack in New Zealand last June before admitting he injured himself in a drunken fall in his hotel room.

"Mathieu called himself into question. We hope that what happened a few months ago helped him to grow up," Lievremont told reporters, hinting that the player was being given a second chance on the back of his strong showing in domestic rugby.

"We just hope he will confirm his good performances with his club on Sunday."

Written apology

Bastareaud's actions caused a diplomatic stir and the French Prime Minister, Francois Fillon, sent a written apology to New Zealand counterpart John Key.

Bastareaud was given a three-month suspended ban and ordered to do community service with amateur rugby.

Lievremont made nine changes to the team from the starting line-up which defeated world champions South Africa on November 13.

Other players earning recalls are fullback Clement Poitrenaud, wing Aurelien Rougerie and flanker Fulgence Ouedraogo, who all missed the November Tests through injury or lack of form.

Lievremont also handed a first Six Nations start to winger Benjamin Fall for Sunday's match at Murrayfield after the 20-year-old impressed on his debut against Samoa last November.

"We wanted to see him again and we think that the experience of Poitrenaud, Rougerie and (centre) Yannick Jauzion will help him to play at his best," Lievremont said.

Five of the changes have been forced by the suspension of scrumhalf Julien Dupuy and injuries suffered by fullback Damien Traille, centre Maxime Mermoz, lock Romain Millo-Chluski and prop Fabien Barcella.

Team

15-Clement Poitrenaud, 14-Benjamin Fall, 13-Mathieu Bastareaud, 12-Yannick Jauzion, 11-Aurelien Rougerie,

10-Francois Trinh-Duc, 9-Morgan Parra, 8-Imanol Harinordoquy, 7-Fulgence Ouedraogo, 6-Thierry Dusautoir (captain), 5-Pascal Pape, 4-Lionel Nallet, 3-Nicolas Mas, 2-William Servat, 1-Thomas Domingo.

Replacements: 16-Dimitri Szarzewski, 17-Luc Ducalcon, 18-Julien Pierre, 19-Julien Bonnaire, 20-Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, 21-David Marty, 22-Vincent Clerc.