France will go into their make-or-break RBS Six Nations clash against Wales without a recognised fly-half in their starting XV.
Centre handed the No.10 shirt to face Wales
France will go into their make-or-break RBS Six Nations clash against Wales without a recognised fly-half in their starting XV.
With Lionel Beauxis ruled out through injury, Montpellier No.10 Francois Trinh-Duc was expected to come straight in to the side.
However Lievremont has gambled by handing centre Benoit Baby the No.10 jersey for the match at the Stade de France - with Trinh-Duc named on the bench.
Lievremont, though, insists he has complete faith in Baby to rise to the challenge of his new role.
"We regret the withdrawal of Lionel Beauxis," Lievremont said. "Events therefore dictate our choice.
"We know it's not ideal - we need our best team against Wales. Francois only arrived on Monday.
"We think he (Baby) has all the qualities to play in that position even if he rarely plays there for his club. We have confidence in Benoit Baby."
With Morgan Parra coming in at scrum-half ahead of Sebastien Tillous-Borde, France will have an untried combination at half-back.
Power
Baby's place in the centres will be taken by new cap Mathieu Bastareaud, with the in-form Stade Francais powerhouse lining up alongside Yannick Jauzion.
"We had to choose (who to call up) between Mathieu Bastareaud and Damien Traille, but Traille is ill and only played an hour (at the weekend) while Florian Fritz is still suspended," said Lievremont.
"Mathieu has the profile to come into this team and bring his determination and power. He has played well for Stade.
"And we are conscious he has only come into the squad four days before the match."
Maxime Medard also reverts to full-back in place of Toulouse team-mate Clement Poitrenaud, allowing Julien Malzieu to return on the wing.
In the pack there are recalls for Sylvain Marconnet and Sebastien Chabal.
Marconnet will equal Christian Califano's record of appearances for a French prop with his 72nd game for Les Bleus, while Chabal returns in place of Romain Millo-Chluski.
France: 15 Maxime Medard, 14 Julien Malzieu, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Yannick Jauzion, 11 Cedric Heymans, 10 Benoit Baby, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Imanol Harinordoquy, 7 Fulgence Ouedraogo, 6 Thierry Dusautoir, 5 Sebastien Chabal, 4 Lionel Nallet (captain), 3 Sylvain Marconnet, 2 Dimitri Szarzewski, 1 Fabien Barcella.
Replacements: 16 Benjamin Kayzer, 17 Thomas Domingo, 18 Romain Millo-Chluski, 19 Louis Picamoles, 20 Sebastien Tillous-Borde, 21 Francois Trinh-Duc, 22 Clement Poitrenaud.
