Guy Novès insists continuity is the key for France heading into the November internationals after resisting the urge to make changes to his squad.
Under a new convention between the French federation (FFR) and the league (LNR), a list of 30 players, who will be protected and available for training camps, was announced at the start of the season.
Les Bleus will meet up for a training camp next week ahead of Tests against Samoa, Australia and New Zealand.
And Novès has made just two changes from the squad announced at the start of the season, with Toulon back row Charles Ollivon and Clermont lock Arthur Iturria replacing injured duo Bernard Le Roux and Paul Jedrasiak.
Louis Picamoles and Virimi Vakatawa will complete the 32-man squad for the training camp, with neither player affected by the convention due to not playing in the Top 14.
And Novès has defended his decision not to venture outside the list, explaining that he is keen to maintain a good working relationship with the Top 14 clubs.
He said: “It seems the most logical choice for me and corresponds to what we have tried to do from the start: go for continuity.
“There is a form of respect required with regards to French clubs. If I can take whoever I want, whenever I want, then there is no point having a convention.
“If I start calling (Clermont coach) Franck Azéma to take the entire Clermont team, knowing that he has a game to prepare for, he will say to me ‘you’re very kind, already you pick the players from the Elite list, if you also take those are not protected…’”
However Novès explained the door is not shut on players outside the elite list. He added: “It’s clear to me that all French players can be selected if they deserve it. The convention is important, but I don’t see why others couldn’t be involved.”
