Marconnet back for France

Sylvain Marconnet has been recalled by France for their RBS 6 Nations match against Wales in Paris a week on Friday.

The experienced Stade Francais prop, who has 71 caps, last played for Les Bleus in February 2007 but has struggled with injuries over the past couple of years.

With props Benoit Lecouls (neck) and Nicolas Mas (adductor) out injured, Marconnet has been called up by France head coach Marc Lievremont while fellow front-row forward Thomas Domingo is also included ahead of Renaud Boyoud, who drops out of the squad.

With Florian Fritz banned, Maxime Mermoz remains in the squad as one of three centres.

The Perpignan youngster sustained a slight thigh injury in the 22-13 win over Scotland on Saturday but will be fully fit by next week.

There are no other changes in France's 23-man squad, with Lievremont going with continuity despite the team's hit-and-miss displays so far in the Six Nations.

Lievremont and the French have come in for criticism following their frustrating display against the Scots, which came a week after their 30-21 defeat to Ireland in Dublin.

There had been calls for Toulouse fly-half David Skrela to return as a cover for the number 10 and centre positions but Benoit Baby, who has failed to shine in the opening two matches, is retained by the selectors.

Indeed, there are no changes in the backs, nor among the locks or in the back row.