Yoann Maestri returns in France XV to face Italy

Yoann Maestri has handed France a boost ahead of their Rugby World Cup opener with Italy, returning to the starting XV following a rib injury.

The second-row forward missed France's final warm-up clash with Scotland earlier this month but has recovered in time to be part of Philippe Saint-Andre's side for Saturday's fixture.

Maestri is one of two changes from that 19-16 victory in Paris, with Alexandre Dumoulin coming in at centre in place of the injured Wesley Fofana (thigh).

Thierry Dusautoir will lead France for the seventh time at a World Cup in the Pool D clash at Twickenham, the flanker joining Damien Chouly and Louis Picamoles in the back row.

Meanwhile, Italy will be led by hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini for the clash in the absence of regular captain Sergio Parisse.

Parisse has not fully recovered from surgery on a calf injury and will be replaced at number eight by Samuela Vunisa.

France team in full: Scott Spedding, Yoann Huget, Mathieu Bastereaud, Alexandre Dumoulin, Noa Nakaitaci, Frederic Michalak, Sebastien Tillous-Borde; Rabah Slimani, Guilhem Guirado, Eddy Ben Arous, Yoann Maestri, Pascal Pape, Damien Chouly, Thierry Dusautoir, Louis Picamoles.

Replacements: Benjamin Kayser, Vincent Debaty, Nicolas Mas, Bernard Le Roux, Alexandre Flanquart, Morgan Parra, Remi Tales, Gael Fickou

Italy team in full: Luke McLean, Leonardo Sarto, Michele Campagnaro, Andrea Masi, Giovanbattista Venditti, Tommaso Allan, Edoardo Gori; Matias Aguero, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Martin Castrogiovanni, Quintin Geldenhuys, Josh Furno, Alessandro Zanni, Francesco Minto, Samuela Vunisa.

Replacements: Andrea Manici, Michele Rizzo, Lorenzo Cittadini, Valerio Bernabo, Simone Favaro, Guglielmo Palazzani, Carlo Canna Enrico Bacchin