Marconnet has only just returned to competitive action after almost a year out through injury, but he could be recalled by Les Bleus as they look to redress the scrummaging problems that have tarnished their wins against Scotland and Ireland over the past two weekends.

Fabrice Landreau, Marconnet's coach at club side Stade Francais, believes bringing the 31-year-old back against a team as strong in the scrum as England could backfire.

"It's a little early for Sylvain to meet a team like England," Landreau said.

"If it was Scotland or Ireland against us, I would say okay. But it is a big ask of him when we know the qualities of (England props) Sheridan or Vickery.

"Even with a remodelled front row, England pushed around the Italian pack (in a Six Nations match on Sunday).

"And if Marconnet comes back, there will no longer be as many youngsters. And it is important that the France team sees as many players as possible during the tournament."

The French scrum went backwards in the second half of Saturday's 26-21 win over Ireland following the substitutions of prop Lionel Faure and hooker Dimitri Szarzewski just after the interval.

It also struggled in the first half of the 27-6 victory against Scotland the previous weekend.

A fully-fit Marconnet would be a shoo-in in the French front row, given the 71-cap prop's experience on the international stage.

But his last full match came in February last year when France played Wales at home in the RBS 6 Nations.

The following week, he broke his leg while skiing with his family and he missed the rest of the season and the World Cup.

Further issues with his rehabilitation meant he has only just made it back into Stade's first-team plans, and he has only three substitute appearances under his belt over the past month.

Lievremont, however, has not ruled out bringing back the veteran, such are the problems in his front row.

"Nothing is impossible," he said.

"Sylvain has been back the last three weeks but he hasn't played a full match.

"The most important thing is that he is fit. And it is true that there aren't a plethora of front-row candidates to strengthen us." 

Les Bleus name their squad on Wednesday for the Stade de France clash.