2 out, 2 in for French team

Herbert has a thigh muscle injury and Monfils ankle and knee problems, French tennis officials said on Wednesday, ahead of the clash on April 7-9 in Rouen.

France captain Yannick Noah may still shuffle his pack at the last moment, but in all likelihood the singles will be played by Gilles Simon and Lucas Pouille and doubles by Nicolas Mahut and Benneteau, with Chardy a replacement.

France are without star player the world number 10 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga whose wife gave birth to their first baby last week, and Richard Gasquet.

Britain's Andy Murray the world number one has been ruled out because of an elbow injury.