Mathieu Bastareaud dropped from France Six Nations squad

France coach Jacques Brunel has named his Six Nations squad ahead of the opening match with Ireland in Paris.

Toulon centre Mathieu Bastareaud was originally included in the selection but later dropped after receiving a three-game ban following a homophobic remark made in a club match towards Benetton flanker Sebastian Negri.

World Rugby rules state the offence carries a minimum six-week ban, but it was halved because of his guilty plea.

Despite this Bastareaud was quickly replaced in the tournament squad with Jonathan Danty.

Head coach Brunel made his first squad selection since taking over from veteran boss Guy Noves last month, and has taken the decision to recall experienced Clermont half-back Morgan Para.

The 29-year-old was a mainstay when France won the Grand Slam in 2010 and reached the Rugby World Cup final a year later.

Parra has not played for France since their crushing 62-13 defeat to New Zealand in the 2015 World Cup quarter-finals, the last of his 66 international appearances.

Benjamin Fall has also been recalled by Brunel, who last turned out for France five years ago during a Six Nations defeat by England.

France will get their Six Nations campaign underway by hosting Ireland on Saturday, February 3 in Paris.

Squad

Forwards: Eddy Ben Arous, Yacouba Camara, Camille Chat, Paul Gabrillaugues, Cedate Gomes Sa, Kevin Gourdon, Guilhem Guirado, Arthur Iturria, Anthony Jelonch, Felix Lambey, Wenceslas Lauret, Sekou Macalou, Jefferson Poirot, Dany Priso, Rabah Slimani, Marco Tauleigne, Christopher Tolofua, Sebastien Vahaamahina

Backs: Anthony Belleau, Henry Chavancy, Jonathan Danty, Geoffrey Doumayrou, Brice Dulin, Antoine Dupont, Benjamin Fall, Matthieu Jalibert, Remi Lamerat, Maxime Machenaud, Geoffrey Palis, Morgan Parra, Teddy Thomas, Virimi Vakatawa