Six Nations: 'Versatile' Chabal at flanker as Lièvremont matches England pack for power

France coach Marc Lièvremont sprang a surprise when he named Chabal at flanker for the Twickenham clash, with most pundits expecting the Sale Sharks player to be in the second row following the withdrawal through injury of Romain Millo-Chluski.

Lièvremont reacted to that news by calling up Montpellier flanker Louis Picamoles, but Chabal has been given the nod for a back-row start in a position he has rarely experienced.

At Sale he prefers to operate at number eight – although injuries have seen him play in the second row recently – but Imanol Harinordoquy’s outstanding form in the Six Nations so far has seen the Biarritz star nail down that particular position.

Thus, Lièvremont has named Chabal at openside flanker against England – his 46^th cap - in a move he hopes will bring added dynamism going forward.

“He’s the only player who has the versatility in the second and back-rows,” said Lièvremont. “I’ve said to myself that, once we have controlled the rotation of our players up front, it could be an interesting option against a powerful team such as England or South Africa.”

The other changes in France’s pack see prop Lionel Faure and lock Jerome Thion coming in for Fabien Barcella and Millo-Chluski respectively, while Francois Trinh-Duc starts at fly-half in place of the injured Benoit Baby.

That means a second start for Stade Francais’ bullocking centre Mathieu Bastareaud, despite Florian Fritz’s return from suspension.

“We wanted to see Mathieu again, in another context, when the surprise effect will no longer play a part,” said France’s backs coach Emile N’Tamack.

England, who have beaten France in their last two meetings, have reacted to Lièvremont's heavyweight forwards by recalling veteran lock Simon Shaw – a playing contemporary of coach Martin Johnson – and Tom Croft.

Shaw, 35, starts in place of the dropped Nick Kennedy, while Croft has been handed his opportunity ahead of Stade Francais-bound James Haskell.

“Simon gives us a different balance in the front five and Tom is very dynamic in the back row,” reasoned Johnson.

The only other change from the side which lost 14-13 against Ireland sees winger Ugo Monye come in for the injured Paul Sackey, with Mark Cueto switching sides (from left to right).

Brive’s Andy Goode once again starts on the bench – with Toby Flood preferred at fly-half – while future club-mate Riki Flutey continues at inside centre.

Johnson, who is coming under increasing pressure due to England’s appalling disciplinary record – 10 yellow cards in their last four games – has once again stressed the need for players to take individual responsibility.

“We will need a very strong defence against France and must reduce the penalty count. We must not give the referee any opportunities to penalize us,” he said.

Lièvremont, however, has upped the ante by ensuring that referee Stuart Dickenson remains fully aware of England’s current problems.

“Referees are under pressure from the English side. I hope he’ll not give in to that pressure,” he said. “I hope Stuart Dickinson will be as intransigent as Mark Lawrence was in France’s victory against Wales,” added Lièvremont.

“To see England punished by 10 yellow cards in their last four games is something that hasn’t been seen before. I’m amazed, more so because it’s England,” he said.

He also played down the fact England had lost two of their three games so far in the Championship, and said that could act as a spur to ‘Les Rosbifs’.

“I dread facing an English side whose pride has been hurt. They have lost twice in three games but they competed with the Irish and the Welsh until the end, and only lost by a few points,” he said.