France coach Marc Lievremont has recalled half-backs Jean-Baptiste Elissalde and David Skrela for Saturday's Six Nations decider against Wales at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.

Lievremont announced six changes to the starting XV that defeated Italy 25-13 on Sunday at the Stade de France.

In the backline, Dimitri Yachvili and Francois Trinh-Duc make way for Elissalde (picured) and Skrela, Vincent Clerc replaces Aurelien Rougerie on the wing and centre Damien Traille takes over from 19-year-old Yann David.

The surprise choice is the selection of full-back Anthony Floch, who has only two caps and retains his place ahead of the 40-cap Cedric Heymans.

"Floch played a complete game against Italy and we wanted to see him again," Lievremont said.

"The choice of the scrum-half was the most difficult to ratify. Both are extremely close. Maybe Elissalde is more used to our system of play and has more control over the pack."

In the pack, experienced back-rowers Thierry Dusautoir and Julien Bonnaire are restored as flanker and number eight at the expense of Ibrahim Diarra and Louis Picamoles.

Fulgence Ouedraogo, 21, keeps his flanker berth ahead of Elvis Vermeulen.

"We noticed that Fulgence had been extraordinarily active against Italy. He is a good support player in defence and attack," said Lievremont.

"Vermeulen has more power but Ouedraogo is a good lineout jumper and will bring us speed around the pitch."

The front five remain unchanged around lock and captain Lionel Nallet and hooker Dimitri Szarzewski, described by Lievremont as "the spearhead of the pack".

"We wanted some stability because we had ups and downs in the set pieces and there is no way we can afford to leave possession to the Welsh," Lievremont said.

France will retain their crown if they beat undefeated Wales by 20 points or by just 19 but with more tries than their final opponents in the tournament.

"We'll first aim at competing with the Welsh and at playing our game and then, secondarily, we'll think about those 20 points," the French coach said.

"For the time being, clinching the title would be a luxury," added Didier Retiere, his assistant in charge of the forwards.

Lievremont agreed and added: "It's a shame we didn't score three or four more tries in our previous games.

"We could have been in a position to vie for the title with a smaller deficit."

France: 15-Florien Floch, 14-Vincent Clerc, 13-Damien Traille, 12-Yannick Jauzion, 11- Julien Malzieu, 10-David Skrela, 9-Jean-Baptiste Elissalde ; 8-Julien Bonnaire, 7-Fulgence Ouedraogo, 6-Thierry Dusautoir, 5-Jerome Thion, 4-Lionel Nallet (capt), 3-Nicolas Mas, 2-Dimitri Szarzewski, 1-Febien Barcella.

Replacements: 16-William Servat, 17-Jean-Baptiste Poux, 18-Anraud Méla, 19-Elvis Vermeulen, 20-Dimitri Yachvili, 21-Francois Trinh-Duc, 22-Cedric Heymans.

Reuters