Fabien Pelous, as expected, has been named as the captain in the 22-man squad even though he has only recently returned to competitive action after undergoing knee surgery this summer.

Saracens utility back Thomas Castaignede has also been included in the group and is in line to make his first appearance for Les Bleus since April 2003.

However, there are a number of absentees with hooker William Servat (neck), flanker Serge Betsen (cheekbone), second row Pascal Pape (back), centre Damien Traille (broken arm) and Christophe Dominici (knee) all missing through injury.

There is also no place for Thierry Dussautoir, who was expected to make his international bow for France, as the flanker is struggling with an ankle problem.

France play Australia in Marseille on November 5 before facing further matches against Canada, Tonga and South Africa.

France squad to face Australia:

Forwards: P De Villiers (Stade Francais), S Marconnet (Stade Francais), O Milloud (Bourgoin), S Bruno (Sale), D Szarzewski (Stade Francais), F Pelous (Toulouse, captain), J Thion (Biarritz), L Nallet (Castres), O Magne (London Irish), R Martin (Stade Francais), Y Nyanga (Toulouse, T Lievremont (Biarritz), G Lamboley (Toulouse).

Backs: JB Elissalde (Toulouse), Y Delaigue (Castres), F Michalak (Toulouse), T Castaignede (Saracens), F Fritz (Toulouse), Y Jauzion (Toulouse), C Heymans (Toulouse), A Rougerie (Clermont), J Laharrague (Perpignan).