France coach Guy Noves stuck to his ambitious game plan when he named 22-year-old Baptiste Serin at halfback for his team's Six Nations opener against England at Twickenham on Saturday.
Serin, who exceeded expectations as a second-half substitute during the November series, will pair up with five-eighth Camille Lopez for his sixth cap as Les Bleus seek a first away win against England since 2007.
Bordeaux-Begles player Serin, who made a splendid blind pass behind his back for France's only try in a 24-19 defeat against New Zealand last November, also shone in a 27-0 victory against Argentina last June.
Centre Mathieu Bastareaud was left off the game sheet after being called up for the first time since the 2015 World Cup.
In the absence of the injured Wesley Fofana, Remi Lamerat and Gael Fickou are the first-choice centres while Noves kept faith in Virimi Vakatawa and Noa Nakaitaci on the wings.
France: Scott Spedding, Noa Nakaitaci, Remi Lamerat, Gael Fickou, Virimi Vakatawa, Camille Lopez, Baptiste Serin, Louis Picamoles, Kevin Gourdon, Damien Chouly, Yoann Maestri, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Uini Atonio, Guilhem Guirado (capt), Cyril Baille. Interchange: Clement Maynadier, Rabah Slimani, Xavier Chiocci, Arthur Iturria, Loann Goujon, Maxime Machenaud, Jean Marc Doussain, Yoann Huget
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