Montpellier fly-half named in France's preliminary World Cup squad

Francois Trinh-Duc has been named in France's 36-man training squad for the Rugby World Cup, but there is no place for Camille Lopez or Teddy Thomas.

Montpellier fly-half Trinh-Duc has played in 49 Tests, but has not featured for his country since the 2014 Six Nations due to a broken leg sustained in October.

However, he is part of head coach Philippe Saint-Andre's party, although there is no place for fellow number 10 Lopez, despite the Clermont Auvergne man being a part of France's Six Nations squad earlier this year.

Trinh-Duc will subsequently battle it out with the experienced Frederic Michalak and Remi Tales for the stand-off position.

"Trinh-Duc is coming back in great form, and he already played a World Cup. Michalak went through a difficult season but he played in two World Cups," Saint-Andre said.

"And given that scrumhalf Sebastien Tillous-Borde is not a kicker, Michalak is giving us some guarantees."

Racing Metro winger Thomas was also involved in the Six Nations but is not named, while club-mate Maxime Machenaud also misses out.

Lock Pascal Pape also returns to the fold after serving a 10-week ban for kneeing Ireland number eight Jamie Heaslip in the Six Nations.

France start their World Cup campaign against Italy at Twickenham on September 19.

Squad in full:

Backs: Mathieu Bastareaud, Alexandre Dumoulin, Brice Dulin, Gael Fickou, Wesley Fofana, Sofiane Guitoune, Yoann Huget, Rory Kockott, Remi Lamerat, Frederic Michalak, Noa Nakaitaci, Morgan Parra, Scott Spedding, Remi Tales, Sebastien Tillous-Borde, Francois Trinh-Duc

Forwards: Uini Atonio, Eddy Ben Arous, Xavier Chiocci, Damien Chouly, Vincent Debaty, Thierry Dusautoir, Alexandre Flanquart, Loann Goujon, Guilhem Guirado, Benjamin Kayser, Bernard Le Roux, Yoann Maestri, Nicolas Mas, Yannick Nyanga, Pascal Pape, Louis Picamoles, Fulgence Ouedraogo, Rabah Slimani, Dimitri Szarzewski, Sebastien Vahaamahina