The talismanic No. 8 has been at the centre of controversy due to the publication of his autobiography, while he was also one of six players to pay the penalty for France’s shock defeat to Italy during the RBS 6 Nations.

Another player dropped after the disaster in Italy was veteran centre Yannick Jauzion, who has also missed the cut, along with Toulouse club mate Clement Poitrenaud.

Long-time absentee Louis Picamoles takes advantage of Chabal’s absence to return to the team while uncapped Biarritz No. 8 Raphael Lakafia has also made the squad.

Lièvremont has also gambled on the fitness of several players with Thomas Domingo, Fabien Barcella and Aurelien Rougerie all struggling with serious long-term injuries.

There are also concerns over Damien Traille, who has been out of action for a month, and Maxime Mermoz, who has not played since going off in France’s Six Nations opener against Scotland in February.

Toulouse star Cedric Heymans makes a welcome return to the squad after an impressive end to the season at full-back while Lièvremont has also taken the gamble by taking just two hookers, including Dimitri Szarzewski whose season has been dogged by injury.

Lièvremont has taken the step to name his squad ahead of the Top 14 play-offs to ensure all players whose club season is over begin their preparation immediately.

He will have to announce his final squad of 30 players by August 22 after two warm-up games with Ireland in Bordeaux and Dublin.

Forwards: Fabien Barcella (Biarritz), Thomas Domingo (Clermont), Jean-Baptiste Poux (Toulouse), Sylvain Marconnet (Biarritz), Nicolas Mas (Perpignan), Luc Ducalcon (Castres), William Servat (Toulouse), Dimitri Szarzewski (Stade Français), Lionel Nallet (Racing-Metro), Romain Millo-Chluski (Toulouse), Julien Pierre (Clermont), Pascal Papé (Stade Français), Thierry Dusautoir (cap. Toulouse), Imanol Harinordoquy (Biarritz), Fulgence Ouedraogo (Montpellier), Raphael Lakafia (Biarritz), Julien Bonnaire (Clermont), Louis Picamoles (Montpellier)

Backs: Morgan Parra (Clermont), Dimitri Yachvili (Biarritz), François Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), David Skrela (Toulouse), Maxime Mermoz (Perpignan), Fabrice Estebanez (Brive), David Marty (Perpignan), Aurelien Rougerie (Clermont), Alexis Palisson (Brive), Yoann Huget (Bayonne), Vincent Clerc (Toulouse), Maxime Medard (Toulouse), Damien Traille (Biarritz), Cedric Heymans (Toulouse)