France centre Mathieu Bastareaud has been left out of the national squad for the autumn internationals against Fiji, Argentina and Australia.
The Stade Francais midfielder, a member of last season’s Grand Slam-winning side, has paid the price for his recent poor form and lack of fitness.
Other notable absentees include the Toulouse trio of fly-half David Skrela, wing Vincent Clerc and full-back Clement Poitrenaud.
France coach Marc Lievremont has named some new faces in his 31-man squad, with Perpignan prop Jerome Schuster and Bayonne winger Yoann Huget given a chance to impress ahead of next year’s World Cup.
However, he may be forced into a change with hooker Dimitri Szarzewski set to face a disciplinary hearing on November 8 after he was accused of headbutting an opponent in Stade Francais’ Top 14 clash with Toulon at the weekend.
France host Fiji on November 13, followed by Tests against Argentina and Australia.
France squad:
Forwards: Domingo (Clermont), Servat (Toulouse), Szarzewski (Stade Francais), Guirado (Perpignan), Schuster (Perpignan), Mas (Perpignan), Ducalcon (Castres), Nallet (Racing-Metro), Pierre (Clermont), Pape (Stade Francais), Millo-Chluski (Toulouse), Dusautoir (Toulouse), Harinordoquy (Biarritz), Bonnaire (Clermont), Ouedraogo (Montpellier), Chabal (Racing-Metro), Lapandry (Clermont).
Backs: Parra (Clermont), Yachvili (Biarritz), Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), Traille (Biarritz), Esteban (Brive), Jauzion (Toulouse), Marty (Perpignan), Rougerie (Clermont), Andreu (Castres), Huget (Bayonne), Arias (Stade Francais), Medard (Toulouse), Palisson (Brive), Porical (Perpignan).
