France head coach Guy Noves has named hooker Guilhem Guirado as the new captain of the national team.
Guirado, 29, will lead France into the Six Nations in February and March having succeeded Thierry Dusautoir as skipper following the flanker's post-World Cup retirement.
Noves is also new in the job having taken over from Philippe Saint-Andre after France's 62-13 drubbing by New Zealand in the quarter-final last year.
"I made it official at the end of the afternoon. He is the right person at the right time. I discussed it with him on Sunday," Noves told L'Equipe.
Guirado, who plays his club rugby for Toulon, made his debut for France against Italy in 2008 and has since gone on to make 38 appearances for the national side.
His first match as captain will also come against Italy when they open their Six Nations campaign at the Stade de France on February 6.
Barney Corkhill
