PARIS (Reuters) - France manager Philippe Saint-Andre stuck to the much-criticised Frederic Michalak to spearhead Les Bleus against Scotland as they look to avoid the Six Nations wooden spoon on Saturday. The once-brilliant Michalak has had poor games in this year's championship and his first half in last weekend's 13-13 draw against Ireland was definitely not one of his best, with his kicking game being more than questionable.

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre on Thursday made seven changes to his side to take on England in a Six Nations match at Twickenham on Saturday. Having lost their two opening games against Italy and Wales, Saint-Andre notably restored the halfback partnership of Francois Trinh-Duc and Morgan Parra which brought France the Grand Slam in 2010 and took them to the World Cup final in 2011. Also back are hooker Benjamin Kayser, prop Thomas Domingo, flanker Yannick Nyanga and top try scorer Vincent Clerc, the winger having missed the last two games through injury.

(Adds details, quotes and byline) By Julien Pretot MARCOUSSIS, France, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Francois Trinh-Duc will make his first start in eight months after coach Philippe Saint-Andre made seven changes and one positional switch to the team who lost to Wales, urging his troops to "be French" against England in Saturday's Six Nations clash.

Francois Trinh-Duc said Wednesday he was desperate to pull back on the No.10 shirt for France when they go up against unbeaten England in the Six Nations at Twickenham on Saturday. The Montpellier playmaker was the preferred fly-half under the reign of previous coach Marc Lievremont, linking up with Morgan Parra in a half-back partnership that took France into the World Cup final in New Zealand.