Michalak starts as France ring changes

France host England at the Stade de France on Saturday.

The French lost 14-19 to Stuart Lancaster's men at Twickenham last Saturday and Saint-Andre is keen to cast an eye over all of his players before cutting back his squad from 36 to 31 on Sunday.

Notably, he has linked up Frederic Michalak with Sebastien Tillous-Borde at halfback, giving both Toulon veterans a chance to state their claims for World Cup squad slots.

"They are used to playing together and I expect them to get the team playing just as well as Morgan [Parra] and Francois [Trinh-Duc] did last week," said Saint-Andre.

"Saturday's match will be even more intense than last week."

Also brought back into the starting line-up are first choice centres Mathieu Bastareaud and Wesley Fofana, who take over from Rémi Lamerat and Alexandre Dumoulin, who both struggled against the English.

Scott Spedding stays on at full-back with Yoann Huget and Noa Nakaitaci completing the back three.

Thierry Dusautoir is rested after sustaining a knee injury and is replaced as skipper by lock Pascal Pape, who is back to full fitness after a thigh strain.

France: 15 Scott Spedding, 14 Yoann Huget, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Noa Nakaitaci, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Sebastien Tillous-Borde, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Bernard Le Roux, 6 Damien Chouly, 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Pascal Pape (captain), 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Guilhem Guirado, 1 Eddy Ben Arous.

Replacements: 16 Benjamin Kayser, 17 Vincent Debaty, 18 Uini Atonio, 19 Alexandre Flanquart, 20 Yannick Nyanga, 21 Rory Kockott, 22 Remi Tales, 23 Gael Fickou.

Date: Saturday, August 22

Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis Paris)

Kick-off: 21.00 (20.00 BST; 19.00 GMT)

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)

Assistant referees: Johnny Lacey (Ireland), Marius Mitrea (Italy)

TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)