The 32-year-old has been sidelined with a knee injury ever since Toulouse’s Top 14 final victory over Montpellier on June 4 but France coach Marc Lievremont has given him to nod ahead of Dimitri Szarzewski.

Servat said: “It’s obviously a hugely satisfying moment for me. Things have progressed very will but I was not certain of playing in the match until recently.”

Lievremont – due to be replaced Philippe Saint-Andre after the tournament – has also named centre Aurelien Rougerie and prop Fabien Barcella in his team despite both only recently returning for lengthy injuries.

Still sidelined however are Damien Traille and centre Maxime Mermoz but Lievremont is hoping the pair will be fit for France’s second pool clash with Canada – but he admits wing Alexis Palisson will be out of action for longer.

Fabrice Estebanez, formerly of rugby league fame, will partner Rougerie in the centres while Lievremont has handed the No.9 shirt to Dimitri Yachvili rather than Morgan Parra.

15. Cedric Heymans – Bayonne

14. Vincent Clerc – Toulouse

13. Aurelien Rougerie – Clermont

12. Fabrice Estebanez – Racing-Metro

11. Maxime Medard – Toulouse

10. Francois Trinh-Duc – Montpellier

9. Dimitri Yachvili – Biarritz

1. Fabien Barcella – Biarritz

2. William Servat – Toulouse

3. Nicolas Mas – Perpignan

4. Julien Pierre – Clermont

5. Lionel Nallet – Racing-Metro

6. Thierry Dusautoir – Toulouse

7. Imanol Harinordoquy – Biarritz

8. Raphael Lakafia – Biarritz

Replacements:

16. Dimitri Szarzewski – Stade Francais

17. Jean-Baptiste Poux – Toulouse

18. Pascal Pape – Stade Francais

19. Julien Bonnaire – Clermont

20. Morgan Parra – Clermont,

21. David Skrela – Clermont

22. David Marty – Perpignan