Elissalde has won the battle for the number-nine jersey over Dimitri Yachvili, who impressed in Sunday's 25-13 win over Italy but has been relegated to the bench for Saturday’s RBS Six Nations clash in Cardiff.

And young coach Lievremont admitted scrum half selection had been the most difficult. Comparing Elissalde and Yachvili, he said: "They are at a very close level at the moment. Perhaps Jean-Baptiste's management of the game and his ability to lead his forwards gave him the advantage."

Stade Francais fly half David Skrela is selected over Francois Trinh-Duc and ASM Clermont Auvergne’s Anthony Floch keeps his place at fullback ahead of Cedric Heymans.

Lievremont keeps faith with the same front five that started against Italy, but there are two changes in the back row. Julien Bonnaire is promoted from the bench and is selected at number eight, while flanker Thierry Dusautoir also returns.

Les Bleus need to beat the Welsh by at least 20 points this weekend to retain the title they have won for the past two years. They have beaten Scotland, Ireland and Italy so far this tournament, with their only defeat coming at home to England.

France: A Floch (Clermont-Auvergne); V Clerc, Y Jauzion (both Toulouse), D Traille (Biarritz), J Malzieu (Clermont-Auvergne); D Skrela (Stade Francais), J-B Elissalde (Toulouse); F Barcella (Auch), D Szarzewski (Stade Francais), N Mas (Perpignan), L Nallet (Castres, capt), J Thion (Biarritz), T Dusautoir (Toulouse), F Ouedraogo (Montpellier), J Bonnaire (Clermont-Auvergne)

Replacements: W Servat, J-B Poux (both Toulouse), A Mela (Albi), E Vermeulen (Clermont-Auvergne), D Yachvili (Biarritz), F Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), C Heymans (Toulouse)