France have named an unchanged team for the World Cup semi-final against England in Paris on Saturday.

Bernard Laporte, the coach, has selected the same 22 that defeated New Zealand 20-18 in last weekend’s quarter-final in Cardiff, meaning that Frederic Michalak has been unable to displace Lionel Beauxis at fly half despite turning the game when he came on as a second-half substitute against the All Blacks.

Laporte, who is renowned for tinkering with winning lineups, has resisted the temptation on this occasion. “We have two choices,” Laporte said. “Either keep the same group, knowing they performed well, or take two or three players out, which is difficult to explain.”

Sebastian Chabal, who also had a huge impact off the bench, will again be used in that role while Damien Traille, a centre by trade, keeps his place at full back. Serge Betsen and Olivier Milloud have recovered from knocks sustained last weekend to start against the world champions.

Betsen suffered a mild concussion last weekend and has been included even though the rules state that a player who has been concussed should be automatically left out for three weeks.

Traille and Beauxis offer France a more defensive look as both are excellent positional kickers. Raphael Ibanez, the hooker, will once again captains the side against his Wasps counterpart Phil Vickery.

France team to play England in the World Cup semi-final in Paris on Saturday: D Traille; V Clerc, D Marty, Y Jauzion, C Heymans; L Beauxis, J-B Elissalde; O Milloud, R Ibanez (capt), P de Villiers, F Pelous, J Thion, S Betsen, T Dusautoir, J Bonnaire. Replacements: J-B Poux, D Szarzewski, S Chabal, I Harinordoquy, F Michalak, C Dominici, C Poitrenaud.