Long-term injured Pelous and Michalak return for World Cup warmup against England

Lock Fabien Pelous and flyhalf Frederic Michalak are set to make comebacks for France from serious injuries in the World Cup warmup against England on Saturday.

Photo: Long-term injured Pelous and Michalak return for World Cup warmup against England

France coach Bernard Laporte named a full-strength 22-man squad Tuesday for the first of two tests against England. The second test is at Marseille, France, on Aug. 18.

Pelous, who can equal Philippe Sella's national record of 111 games for France at Twickenham, last played for Les Bleus in the test series against New Zealand in November due to a chronic ankle injury.

Michalak hasn't played for France since injuring his knee in a Six Nations match against Wales in March 2006. The flyhalf had surgery in November before resuming playing for Toulouse. He is likely to relegate David Skrela to the reserves bench.

"Our goal is to prepare well for the World Cup and get our game in place, but it would be good to win at Twickenham," France team manager Jo Maso said. "That would make us stronger and more confident. We put together the best team of the moment."

France plays Wales at Cardiff on Aug. 26 in another warmup. The World Cup is from Sept. 7-Oct. 20.