Mathieu Bastareaud was included and then dropped from France’s Six Nations squad after receiving a three-week ban for a homophobic slur.

The Toulon centre called a Treviso player a ‘f**king faggot’ during a European Champions Cup match.

His ban ends a day after France’s opening Six Nations match against Ireland on 3 February and he will be available for the trip to Scotland on 11 February.

Bastareaud has been replaced in the France squad by Stade Français centre Jonathan Danty.

New France coach Jacques Brunel recalled scrumhalf Morgan Para and selected young flyhalf Anthony Belleau ahead of Francois Trinh-Duc.

Out-of-form No 8 Louis Picamoles has also been dropped.

France squad:

Forwards: Eddy Ben Arous, Yacouba Camara, Camille Chat, Paul Gabrillaugues, Cedate Gomes Sa, Kevin Gourdon, Guilhem Guirado, Arthur Iturria, Anthony Jelonch, Felix Lambey, Wenceslas Lauret, Sekou Macalou, Jefferson Poirot, Dany Priso, Rabah Slimani, Marco Tauleigne, Christopher Tolofua, Sebastien Vahaamahina.

Backs: Anthony Belleau, Henry Chavancy, Jonathan Danty, Geoffrey Doumayrou, Brice Dulin, Antoine Dupont, Benjamin Fall, Matthieu Jalibert, Remi Lamerat, Maxime Machenaud, Geoffrey Palis, Morgan Parra, Teddy Thomas, Virimi Vakataw.

Photo: Miguel Medina/AFP Photo