Flanker Ouedraogo is currently nursing an ankle injury while No.8 Picamoles is struggling with a thigh problem and an infected wound on the same leg – both of which have led to Saint-Andre delaying his team announcement.

Dusautoir was called back into the French squad for their first RBS 6 Nations clash against Italy on Sunday by Saint-Andre having been sidelined for a lengthy spell himself with a serious knee injury.

The 31-year-old last played for France during the final match of last year’s RBS 6 Nations, which saw them lose 16-9 to Wales, with lock Pascal Pape taking over the captaincy and now retaining it.

Whether he starts against Italy in the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, Dusautoir insists depends on the fitness of Ouedraogo and Picamoles however he is adamant he has left nothing to chance.

“I take advantage of every moment. Each training session, I’m pleased to be there especially because I don’t know what will follow,” said Toulouse flanker Dusautoir.

“I gave everything [in training]. I didn’t want to have any regrets. Whatever happens there will be no regrets, that’s the most important thing for me.

“It’s a decision over which I’ll have no control. I’ve done everything I could. The decision will be taken based on the fitness of my teammates [Ouedraogo and Picamoles].

“The decision belongs to the coaches. I can just wait and try not to torture myself about what they decide. [Not being captain] is my position, I accept it.

“In the French team I’m a soldier, for Toulouse I’m the captain. That’s pretty much how I take it.

“Of course it’s different because you don’t have the preparation of the team to think about. As captain I always have to worry about the others.

“It was very important, maybe even more than my own performance. Now I just need to worry about my own preparation, to help in certain sectors where I can.

“But I’m not guaranteed to stay so I’m taking things as they come.”