Missing out will be experienced centre Gonzalo Canale, but the French-born coach, who replaced Nick Mallet after the World Cup, says the development of his young troops is essential, and there is no better place for them to learn their trade than in the lion’s den of the Stade de France.

"Giovanbattista [Venditti] is a player with potential, he has speed and power and he's young," said Brunel.

"We need more potential and also greater cohesion because [Tommaso] Benvenuti and [Alberto] Sgarbi play together at Treviso, whereas Canale has been injured. He should be able to come in and use his experience.

“The many youngsters will give a different vision to start us on a different path.”

Brunel has also raised eyebrows with his decision to place Tobias Botes on the bench as a replacement for fly-half Kris Burton, the Treviso man is usually deployed at scrum-half.

He added: "I've not brought him in to compete with the scrum-halves. He's a fly-half and a kicker but then we'll see how things go throughout the tournament.

“Our problem is more finding potential at fly-half rather than at scrum-half.”