France coach Fabien Galthie has named 19 uncapped players in his 42-man training squad for the upcoming Six Nations tournament.
As Les Blues prepare for their new era under Galthie, who replaced Jacques Brunel as head coach after the 2019 World Cup, a number of players could make their Test debuts in an experimental squad which will be captained by Charles Ollivon.
The 26-year-old Toulon flank takes over the captaincy from hooker Guilhem Guirado, who has retired from Test rugby.
South African-born Montpellier lock Paul Willemse, who missed out on the chance to play in the World Cup due to injury, is back in the squad for what could be his second Six Nations tournament after his debut in 2019.
Also recalled is Racing 92 wing Teddy Thomas.
Among those who could make their Test debuts is 20-year-old flyhalf Louis Carbonel, who formed a major part of the France side which won the World Rugby U20 Championship last year.
France begin their campaign against World Cup finalists England in Paris on 2 February.
A very experimental France squad named by Fabien Galthié for the Six Nations
Uncapped: Etrillard, Gros, Haouas, Cazeaux, Geraci, Palu, Cretin, Fischer, Macalou, Tolofua, Woki, Lucu, Carbonel, Hériteau, Vincent, Cordin, Etien, Ngandebe, Bouthier, Hamdaoui
Just the 20 of 42! pic.twitter.com/MqPIfhd94C
— Paul Eddison (@pauleddison) January 8, 2020
Photo: PASCAL GUYOT/AFP/Getty Images
