Laportes 28-man party included five new caps, Biarritz forwards Denis Avril and Thierry Dusatoir, Toulouse lock Romain Millo-Chluski and centre Florian Fritz, plus Narbonne winger Vincent Candelon, with only Avril over 24.

Olivier Magne was included but the likes of Raphael Ibanez and Thomas Castaignede were omitted as Laporte continues his development for the 2007 World Cup to be held in France.

With just 15 games left on the international fixture list before the 2007 showpiece gets underway, it appears time is running out for some players.

However, Laporte said: The door is not closed for 'old' players like Ibanez or Castaignede.

If they play well in the big matches with their clubs, they could join us. They will be in competition for World Cup.

Veteran winger Christophe Dominici was expected to be rested for the fixtures but is included in the party after Aurelien Rougerie was forced to pull out with a shoulder injury.

Fabien Pelous absence means the captains armband will be shared by second row Jerome Thion and scrum-half Dimitri Yachvili.

Serge Betsen is rested rather than omitted, remaining an integral part of Frances hopes to seal their first taste of World Cup glory.

France manager Jo Maso said: We go with 28 players and the objective is to win against South Africa and against Australia.

We are going to South Africa with pleasure and determination even though we know it will be difficult.

However, it is possible that the list could be changed because of the championship final at Stade de France (between Toulouse and Stade Francais). We will have until Friday to see.

Frances chances against their two southern-hemisphere rivals will be boosted by the return of defensive coach Dave Ellis.

The Englishman will rejoin the French squad just before the first game in South Africa after spending four weeks working with the New Zealand side as they prepare to engage the British & Irish Lions.

The squad will fly to South Africa on June 12 and will compete in two matches against the Springboks on June 18 (Durban) and June 25 (Port Elizabeth) before travelling to take on Australia in Brisbane on July 2.