Six Nations 2014: France pick Bastareaud for Wales match

France centre Mathieu Bastareaud has recovered from a shoulder injury to start against Wales in Cardiff on Friday.

The Toulon back will face Wales' George North, who switches from the wing, in a heavyweight midfield contest.

Flanker Bernard Le Roux, who suffered concussion in the 30-10 win against Italy, is replaced by Racing Metro team-mate Wenceslas Lauret.

Castres back Remi Tales and hooker Brice Mach are on the bench.

Les Bleus have won both their games in the Six Nations so far, at home to England and Italy.

Reigning champions Wales are looking to keep their hopes of winning a third successive title alive following their 26-3 defeat away to Ireland in their last match.

Team

FRANCE (v Wales): Brice Dulin; Yoann Huget, Mathieu Bastereaud, Wesley Fofana, Hugo Bonneval; Jules Plisson, Jean-Marc Doussain; Thomas Domingo, Dimitri Szarzewski, Nicolas Mas, Pascal Pape (capt), Yoann Maestri, Yannick Nyanga, Wenceslas Lauret, Louis Picamoles.

Replacements: Brice Mach, Yannick Forestier, Vincent Debaty, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Damien Chouly, Maxime Machenaud, Remi Tales, Gael Fickou