Six Nations: Noa Nakaitaci included in France preliminary squad

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has included Clermont Auvergne winger Noa Nakaitaci in his preliminary 31-man squad for the Six Nations.

The Fiji-born 24-year-old toured New Zealand with his adopted national team in 2013, and scored two tries against the Blues in Auckland, but has yet to make a Test appearance for France.

Saint-Andre said: "He has become an undisputed first choice at Clermont. He scores tries and makes differences. He has progressed enormously this season."

And Nakaitaci said on Clermont's Twitter page: "I'm very happy to be called up to the training camp. It means a lot to me, my wife and daughter are French."

Racing Metro prop Eddy Ben Arous also returns to the squad, along with Bordeaux wing Sofiane Guitoune, Castres centre Remi Lamerat, Toulouse back-rower Louis Picamoles, and Toulon lock Romain Taofifenua.

Experienced hooker Dimitri Szarzewski misses out, with Guilhem Guirado and Benjamin Kayser selected ahead of the Racing Metro man.

France will have a training camp from January 25 to February 1 ahead of their Six Nations opener against Scotland on February 7 at the Stade de France.

Squad:

Forwards: Uini Atonio (La Rochelle), Eddy Ben Arous (Racing Metro), Nicolas Mas (Montpellier), Alexandre Menini (Toulon), Rabah Slimani (Stade Francais), Guilhem Guirado (Toulon), Benjamin Kayser (Clermont Auvergne), Alexandre Flanquart (Stade Francais), Yoann Maestri (Toulouse), Pascal Pape (Stade Francais), Romain Taofifenua (Toulon), Damian Chouly (Clermont Auvergne), Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse), Bernard Le Roux (Racing Metro), Yannick Nyanga (Toulouse), Charles Ollivon (Bayonne), Louis Picamoles (Toulouse).

Backs: Rory Kockott (Castres), Sebastien Tillous-Borde (Toulon), Camille Lopez (Clermont Auvergne), Remi Tales (Castres), Mathieu Bastareaud (Toulon), Alexandre Dumoulin (Racing Metro), Wesley Fofana (Clermont Auvergne), Remi Lamerat (Castres), Sofiane Guitoune (Bordeaux), Yoann Huget (Toulouse), Noa Nakaitaci (Clermont Auvergne), Teddy Thomas (Racing Metro), Brice Dulin (Racing Metro), Scott Spedding (Bayonne).