France shuffle pack for Six Nations clash with Scotland

France have made a host of changes to their side for Sunday's Six Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield, including Francois Trinh-Duc's return at fly-half.

Trinh-Duc replaces Jules Plisson in the No 10 shirt after coming off the bench in the defeat by Wales two weeks ago, with coach Guy Noves changing nearly half of his team along with further positional moves.

Only one of the back division from the trip to Cardiff retains his position - scrum-half Maxime Machenaud - although Maxime Mermoz's move is a small one, from outside to inside centre and Virimi Vakatawa swaps wings to start on the left.

"Francois was among the first called, he was in our plans," said Noves. "With Jules, they hold the key for us. Jules has played three matches, so it will be interesting to see (Trinh-Duc) in action in the game."

Scott Spedding is recalled at full-back, while Wesley Fofana, normally a centre, returns from a rib injury on the right wing and Gael Fickou is restored at centre to partner Mermoz.

"Given the strength that we have available, it seemed interesting to see him on the wing. We did not want to ignore this option and it should be a lot of fun," Noves added of Fofana's positional move

Noves sticks with his front row, but lock Yoann Maestri is recalled in place of Paul Jedrasiak and Yacouba Camara comes into the side at No 8 with Damien Chouly moving to the openside.

Of those players dropped from the 19-10 defeat in Cardiff, only Plisson and Maxime Medard are given places on the bench, with Jonathan Danty, Djibril Camara, Jedrasiak and Antoine Burban dropping out of the squad entirely. Burban's tournament is over because of a head injury.

France sit third in the table with two games remaining, their final match coming against leaders England in Paris next Saturday.

France: 15 Scott Spedding, 14 Wesley Fofana, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Virimi Vakatawa, 10 Francois Trinh-Duc, 9 Maxime Machenaud; 1 Jefferson Poirot, 2 Guilhem Guirado (c), 3 Rabah Slimani, 4 Yoann Maestri, 5 Alexandre Flancquart, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 7 Damien Chouly; 8 Yacouba Camara.

Replacements: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Uini Atonio, 18 Vincent Pelo, 19 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 20 Loann Goujon, 21 Sebastien Bezy, 22 Jules Plisson, 23 Maxime Medard.