Laporte admitted to his sides weaknesses after watching defeats to Argentina and New Zealand last November, and hinted at the time that the RBS 6 Nations - where France will defend their title - will be an opportunity to tinker with his squad.

The situation has been further complicated with no fewer than six key players set to miss out on the start of the tournament through injury.

Olivier Magne is expected to undergo surgery on a foot injury which would sideline him for at least three months, while fellow flanker Serge Betsen has a right thigh problem and is certain to miss the opener against Scotland on February 5 as well as the clash with
England at Twickenham a week later.

Locks Yannick Jauzion (right thigh) and Pascal Pape (right ankle), fly-half Julien Peyrelongue (right knee) and Biarritz's Nicolas Brusque (neck) will also all be noticeable absentees from the squad.

We are going to have to deal with the injured players as well as taking into account what happened in November, Laporte explained.

But there will be a lot of positions that will be discussed.

The only good news is that of Frederic Michalak, who has managed to shake off an ankle blow and should be called up by Laporte, although Stade Toulousain manager Guy Noves recently claimed that his player would need more recovery time before playing at
international level again.

Michalak should still start as fly-half with Damien Traille set to switch from centre to the number nine spot.

Number eight Imanol Harinordoquy, whose performances during the November Test matches were heavily criticised, could be replaced by hooker William Servat although Laporte may delay that decision until later in the tournament.