Six Nations 2002 - France profiles

FABIEN GALTHIE
Scrum Half

The 32-year-old Stade Francais player has bags of international experience and Bernard Laporte turned to him as captain as he started moulding a new team. Talented and competitive, he has done a brilliant job marshallingFrance's young talent and led his country to impressive autumn wins over South Africa and Australia.

FREDERIC MICHALAK
Fly Half

This 19-year-old from Stade Toulouse could not have had a more spectacularfull debut for Les Bleus, pulling the strings in the gripping win over theAussies in Marseilles last autumn. He missed a couple of place kicks on theday but Laporte may well gamble on him ahead of the steadier GeraldMerceron in the Paris opener against Italy.

TONY MARSH
Centre

Bernard Laporte has not been frightened to give youth its head or play foreigners if they can qualify for France. New Zealand-born Tony Marsh is in the squad along with South African prop Peter De Villiers and lock Steve Hall. Marsh proved atough character on his debut in the 20-10 victory overthe Springboks and should be a Six nations starter.

DAVID BORY
Wing

The 25-year-old Montferrand player is quick, good in support and prides himself on a watertight defence - just the qualities Bernard Laporte admires. Still vying for a place with Xavier Garbajosa for a spot on the wing but should add to his 11 caps.

AURELIEN ROUGERIE
Wing

Another 16st-plus winger for defenders to deal with and has already been dubbed the 'French Jonah Lomu'. One of a crop of talented youngsters unleashed in the autumn internationals by Laporte, the 21-year-old Montferrand player looks a world-class prospect. Scored two tries in the avalanche against Fiji and impressed against the Springboks and Wallabies. With his size and power can punch holes in any defence. AskNorthampton whom he beat almost single-handed in the Heineken Cup.