Veteran playmakers Frederic Michalak and Francois Trinh-Duc have been left out of the France squad for this year's Six Nations.

Stade Francois youngster Jules Plisson has been preferred to the duo in the squad, joining club teammates Hugo Bonneval and Antoine Burban as call-ups.

Head coach Phillipe Saint-Andre has also handed Castres full-back Geoffrey Palis a spot in the squad for the first time.

"There were talks over Jules Plisson and Francois again this morning. Francois is making a massive effort and he's almost there, but Jules Plisson is currently putting in some high-quality performances," Saint-Andre told the French Rugby Federation's official website.

"We've picked the most in-form and confident players of the moment. Frederic was the starter in last year's Six Nations and he played exceptionally in the November 2012 Tests. But he got injured and is currently lacking game time. He needs more time."

France begin their Six Nations campaign with a home match against England on February 1.

Full France squad for the 2014 Six Nations: T Domingo (Clermont), Y Forestier (Castres), B Kayser (Clermont), D Szarzewski (Racing-Metro), N Mas (Montpellier), R Slimani, A Flanquart (both Stade Francais), Y Maestri (Toulouse), P Pape (Stade Francais), S Vahaamahina (Perpignan), A Burban (Stade Francais), T Dusautoir (Toulouse, capt), B Le Roux (Racing-Metro), Y Nyanga (Toulouse), D Chouly (Clermont), L Picamoles, J-M Doussain (both Toulouse), M Machenaud (Racing-Metro), J Plisson (Stade Francais), R Tales (Castres), M Bastareaud (Toulon), G Fickou (Toulouse), W Fofana (Clermont), M Mermoz (Toulon), S Guitoune (Perpignan), Y Huget, M Medard (both Toulouse), G Palis (Castres), H Bonneval (Stade Francais), B Dulin (Castres).