French head coach Marc Lievremont has included both Louis Picamoles and Imanol Harinordoquy in a big pack of forwards for this Friday's big clash with the Springboks at the Stade Toulouse.

Les Bleus, who will be led by the new official team captain Thierry Dusautoir, have named unpredictable flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc in their starting team ahead of Freddy Michalak, who is not in the matchday 22, and opted for experienced international Damien Traille at fullback ahead of the exciting Maxime Medard.

Former team captain Lionel Nallet reclaims his place in the second row after missing the tour to New Zealand earlier this year but his club mate Sebastien Chabal has to settle for a spot on the bench alongside Dimitri Szarzewski.

Szarzewski's place in the starting lineup has gone to William Servat while, with Fulgence Ouedraogo injured, Harinordoquy joins Dusautoir and Picamoles in a powerful back row.

Former Leicester Tigers scrumhalf Julien Dupuy is named ahead of young Morgan Parra as well with the Stade Francais star expected to handle the kicking duties from the tee.

Clermont prop Thomas Domingo has been named as the extra reserve in case of an injury to one of the front row but, with Parra, David Marty and Medard the only backline replacements there seems to be very little cover for the flyhalf berth.

Heineken Cup record try-scorer Vincent Clerc and his Toulouse teammate Cedric Heymans occupy the two wings for France but, with a hefty pack of forwards selected, it looks likely that they are going to first try to dominate the match up front before unleashing their flyers out wide.

France: 15 Damien Traille, 14 Vincent Clerc, 13 Yann David, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Cedric Heymans, 10 Francois Trinh-Duc, 9 Julien Dupuy, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Imanol Harinordoquy, 6 Thierry Dusautoir (captain), 5 Romain Millo-Chluski, 4 Lionel Nallet, 3 Nicolas Mas, 2 William Servat, 1 Fabien Barcella
Replacements: 16 Dimitri Szarzewski, 17 Sylvain Marconnet, 18 Sebastien Chabal, 19 Julien Bonnaire, 20 Morgan Parra, 21 David Marty, 22 Maxime Medard.

Date: Friday, November 13
Venue: Stade Toulouse
Time: 20.45 (19.45 GMT; 21.45 SA time)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: George Clancy (Ireland), James Jones (Wales)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)