The 30-year-old will replace William Servat, whose performance in Les Bleus' patchy 16-9 win over Scotland failed to live up to expectations.

It is a real pleasure to start against England, said the former Nimes, Beziers and Pau player.

''It's a great achievement.

I have always liked the scrum, this is the only time of the match where you can face the other team's hooker directly.

Bruno is confident he can make an impact at Twickenham, mainly thanks to his role at Premiership side Sale.

Physically I feel fine. I am very well prepared at Sale because it's like playing at international level every weekend.

I am 30 and I am celebrating my first cap. But I am confident I will remain with the French team as long as possible.''

Winger Jimmy Marlu, who has won three caps from the bench, will also start for the first time after being confirmed as the replacement for the injured Aurelien Rougerie.

''This is like a great present for me,'' said Marlu.

''This is happening against England but I would have been just as happy if it had come against Fiji or Italy.

''The Heineken Cup has already allowed me to play against the greatest English teams and this time it is going to be against the greatest English players.

''It's going to be beautiful at Twickenham. A France versus England clash is always explosive.

''It's going to be a party, a showdown, a war.

''It will be a match of fighters and I hope I will be the one who scores the winning try.''