France are set to welcome back Virimi Vakatawa, Damian Penaud and Camille Chat after the trio were included in a 28-man squad to prepare for their Guinness Six Nations Round 3 clash with Wales.
Les Bleus are two from two in the Championship so far, but were without both Vakatawa and Penaud for Sunday’s 35-22 win over Italy in Paris.
Vakatawa suffered an injury to his triceps in the opening win over England, while Penaud suffered a calf strain in training ahead of Le Crunch.
But both should be fit to take on Wales in Cardiff, France’s first game away from home in the Championship.
Penaud’s return is particularly timely, with winger Vincent Rattez, who had replaced him in the team, having been ruled out with a broken fibula.
The third addition to the 28-man squad is the return of Chat, the Racing 92 hooker who missed the first two weeks of the Championship with a calf problem.
In his absence, Julien Marchand has started each of the first two matches for France, but the experienced Chat had been in fine form in the build-up to the Guinness Six Nations.
The squad will gather at France’s training base in Marcoussis on Wednesday, with a further 14 players set to link up after this weekend’s Top 14 action.
Les Bleus are looking to secure a first win away to Wales in a decade as they try to extend a fine start to life under new coach Fabien Galthié.
