Nyanga gets the axe

Toulouse back row forward Yannick Nyanga was on Wednesday axed from France's matchday 23 for their Six Nations opener against Italy in Rome on Sunday.

Nyanga had been kept in the squad by coach Philippe Saint-Andre because of fitness doubts over Louis Picamoles (thigh) and Fulgence Ouedraogo (ankle).

But the 28-capped player was released after both Picamoles and Ouedraogo trained without a problem on Wednesday.

"It was a real heart-breaker to have to tell Yannick that he wasn't required. He is a great competitor," said Saint-Andre.

France's starting XV will be named on Friday morning.

France squad: Vincent Debaty (Clermont), Yannick Forestier (Castres), Benjamin Kayser (Clermont), Dimitri Szarzewski (Racing-Metro), Luc Ducalcon (Racing-Metro), Nicolas Mas (Perpignan), Yoann Maestri (Toulouse), Pascal Pape (Stade Francais, capt.), Romain Taofifenua (Perpignan), Damien Chouly (Clermont), Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse), Fulgence Ouedraogo (Montpellier), Louis Picamoles (Toulouse), Maxime Machenaud (Racing-Metro), Morgan Parra (Clermont), Frederic Michalak (Toulon), François Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), Mathieu Bastareaud (Toulon), Benjamin Fall (Racing-Metro), Wesley Fofana (Clermont), Florian Fritz (Toulouse), Yoann Huget (Toulouse), Maxime Mermoz (Toulon)

AFP