The 22-year-old Biarritz player, who made his debut for France in their 35-3 victory over Canada in November, is the obvious replacement for Galthie, who picked up a right shoulder injury in their 38-3 RBS 6 Nations win over Scotland on Sunday and will be out for three weeks.

"I am ready to do it if I am given my chance," Yachvili said.

Yachvili has been in the RBS 6 Nations squad this winter but was on the bench for both France's 25-17 defeat by England and the win over the Scots, with Galthie having a stranglehold on the starting berth.

"My first cap came very fast and I was surprised," Yachvili added in L'Equipe. "I thought at the time that I would pile them up fast but then I calmed down and put things in perspective.

"This is the very high level for me, I learn all the time, during training, matches, on and off the pitch, even in front of the television.

"It's interesting to experience another game tactic, it's always positive. I try to analyse and remember as much as possible."

Yachvili's talent is of the calibre of Clement Poitrenaud, Francois Gelez, Damien Traille, Imanol Harinordoquy and Vincent Clerc, who have all emerged in the past year and look to be the future of the French national side.