Monday 4 January 2016 21:42, UK
Toulon hooker Guilhem Guirado has been named the new captain of France by coach Guy Noves.
Noves took charge of the team after the French were thrashed 62-13 in the 2015 World Cup quarter finals by eventual tournament winners New Zealand last autumn.
Captain Thierry Dusautoir decided to end his distinguished international career after that match and the 29-year-old Guirado has now been confirmed as his successor.
Quoted on L'Equipe's website on Monday, Noves said: "I made it official at the end of the afternoon.
"He is the right person at the right time. I discussed it with him on Sunday."
Guirado began his professional career at Perpignan in 2006 before moving on to Toulon in 2014 and has earned 38 France caps since he made his debut against Italy in 2008.
The upcoming Six Nations campaign will be first on the agenda for Noves and Guirado, and France will play Italy in the tournament opener at the Stade de France on February 6.
