The giant French centre has recovered from a shoulder injury to start in Cardiff and lines up opposite North, who starts an international at outside centre for the first time. The heavyweight midfield contest looks sure to be one of the highlights of Friday’s encounter, with Jamie Roberts and Wesley Fofana also involved.
Boosted by the availability of Bastareaud, a man key to his game plan, France coach Philippe Saint Andre keeps changes to a minimum after seeing his side win both of their first two games.
Flanker Bernard Le Roux, who suffered concussion in the comfortable defeat of Italy, is replaced by Racing Metro team-mate Wenceslas Lauret. Castres back Remi Tales and hooker Brice Mach are among those on the bench.
France may have finished bottom of last year’s RBS 6 Nations but with a perfect record so far in this campaign, Saint Andre is giving his young squad the chance to impress.
“Last year was a learning curve with a young team – we learned a lot and also played the All Blacks four times which is never easy,” he said.
“We needed to rebuild the team with a lot of young players and we needed time. I believe in this squad and these young players.
“It’s always a big game against Wales, especially on a Friday night in Cardiff. We know the Welsh team have won the last two Six Nations – they have a very good squad, are very well trained with a lot of experience. It won’t be an easy game.”
With Bastereaud, Fofana and Yoann Huget in their back line, France have a number of attacking threats. Add in the experienced Thomas Domingo, Dimitri Szarzewski, Nicolas Mas, Louis Picamoles and captain Pascal Pape in the pack, and you can see that France can also mix it with the best up front.
“In this competition you need to respect each team as anyone can beat anyone,” said former Sale boss Saint Andre.
“We are trying to pick the best players for France who can control the game. Until you put the guys on the pitch, you never know. We have a lot of young potential and we mustn’t be afraid to pick them.”
Stade Francais lock Pape, who leads the side with Thierry Dusautoir missing the entire campaign with injury, said: “It’s a responsibility I have had in the past but I am proud to be captain of this side.”
France side to play Wales: 15 Brice Dulin 14 Yoann Huget 13 Mathieu Bastereaud 12 Wesley Fofana 11 Hugo Bonneval 10 Jules Plisson 9 Jean-Marc Doussain, 1 Thomas Domingo 2 Dimitri Szarzewski 3 Nicolas Mas 4 Pascal Pape (capt) 5 Yoann Maestri 6 Yannick Nyanga 7 Wenceslas Lauret 8 Louis Picamoles.
Replacements: Brice Mach, Yannick Forestier, Vincent Debaty, Sebastien Vahaamahina, Damien Chouly, Maxime Machenaud, Remi Tales, Gael Fickou.
