The experienced Bastareaud with 50 caps to his name was not included in the squad for last weekend's loss to Wales in the competition's opening game but is recalled for the trip to Twickenham.
ADVERTISEMENT
Bastareaud back, Willemse dropped for France against England
Centre Mathieu Bastareaud returns as South Africa-born lock Paul Willemse is dropped to the bench in two of six changes for France's Six Nations fixture against England on Sunday, the French Rugby Federation announced.
Mathieu Bastareaud has scored five tries in 25 Test for France
La Rochelle's Geoffrey Doumayrou joins Bastareaud in the midfield as Wesley Fofana is sidelined by injury and teenager Romain Ntamack is on the bench.
Willemse, who made his debut against Warren Gatland's side, is replaced by 24-year-old Felix Lambey who will start his first Test match after three games as a substitute.
The other changes sees youngster Demba Bamba start at tight-head prop, flanker Yacouba Camara is in for Wenceslas Lauret and Stade Francais' Gael Fickou is brought in on the left wing as the back-three is shuffled due to Maxime Medard's injury problems.
ADVERTISEMENT
Toulouse pair Thomas Ramos and Dorian Aldegheri could make their international debuts as a replacements.
France team for the Six Nations match against England at Twickenham on Sunday (1500GMT):
(15-1)
Yoann Huget, Damien Penaud, Mathieu Bastareaud, Geffroy Doumayrou, Gael Fickou; Camille Lopez, Morgan Parra; Louis Picamoles, Arthur Iturria, Yacouba Camara, Felix Lambey, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Demba Bamba, Guilhem Guirado, Jefferson Poirot
Replacements: Pierre Bourgarit, Dany Priso, Dorian Aldegheri, Paul Willemse, Gregory Alldritt, Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack, Thomas Ramos
JOIN OUR PULSE COMMUNITY!
ADVERTISEMENT
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh
Recommended articles
The Intersection of Enthusiasm: United Kingdom's local motorsports and Ghana's rising stars
Video: Watch Fatawu Issahaku’s hat trick in Leicester City’s win against Southampton
RTU suspends coach Abdulai Mumin over match-fixing allegations
Hearts of Oak are better off playing with an empty post than using Richard Attah – Taylor
Sorry for causing you a lot of pain – Dr. Prosper Ogum apologizes to Kotoko fans
Govt hasn't paid us – African Games gold medalist Winnifred Ntumi 'cries' out
Dumsor is part of the reasons why we lost against Legon Cities – Hearts of Oak coach
Black Stars midfielder Daniel Kofi Kyereh to miss rest of season due to injury
