Picamoles is Dropped for Mocking Ref

France have announced that they will drop star number eight Louis Picamoles from the squad for next week’s RBS Six Nations match against Scotland, after he disrespected a referee.

The Toulouse forward appeared to mockingly applaud referee Alain Rolland after he sent him to the sin-bin at the Millennium Stadium.

Picamoles then gave a thumbs-up gesture as he left the pitch during Friday night’s 27-6 loss to reigning champions Wales.

French coach Philippe Saint-Andre said: "Certain attitudes have no place whatsoever in our sport."

The move is seen as even more bold by the French coach after the news broke that fellow back-rower Yannick Nyanga will miss the game with a groin problem, as well as influential centre Wesley Fofana with injured ribs.

"Respect is the foundation of our values," Saint-Andre told the France Rugby Federation website.

"It is important to send a signal to all players who have the privilege of wearing the jersey and remind them it imposes duties and obligations."

Saint-Andre has made a number of changes to his squad ahead a match his team - who are in a four-way tie at the top of the table - must win if they are to maintain hopes of winning the championship.

Clermont scrum-half Morgan Parra has been recalled, although he faces a disciplinary hearing after receiving a red card for head-butting a Montpellier player at the weekend.

Prop Rabah Slimani, flankers Bernard Le Roux and Antoine Claassen and centre Remi Lemarat have also been called up.

France squad: Vincent Debaty, Thomas Domingo, Yannick Forestier, Brice Mach, Dimitri Szarzewski, Nicolas Mas, Rabah Slimani, Alexandre Flanquart, Yoann Maestri, Pascal Pape, Sebastien Vaahamahina, Virgile Bruni, Alexandre Lapandry, Wenceslas Lauret, Bernard le Roux, Damien Chouly, Antonie Claassen, Jean-Marc Doussain, Maxime Machenaud, Morgan Parra, Jules Plisson, Remi Tales, Mathieu Bastareaud, Gael Fickou, Remi Lamerat, Maxime Mermoz, Yoann Huget, Maxime Medard, Hugo Bonneval, Brice Dulin.