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The 23-year-old wing has not played any 15-man rugby since 2013.
Sebastien Bezy also makes his debut at scrum-half, with Morgan Parra and Francois Trinh-Duc not match fit.
Lock Paul Jedrasiak and centre Jonathan Dantyare the other uncapped men chosen by new coach Guy Noves, who replaced Philippe Saint-Andre last year.
France team: Maxime Medard; Hugo Bonneval, Gael Fickou, Jonathan Danty, Virimi Vakatawa; Jules Plisson, Sebastien Bezy; Louis Picamoles, Damien Chouly, Wenceslas Lauret; Yoann Maestri, Paul Jedrasiak; Rabah Slimani, Guilhem Guirado (capt), Eddy Ben Arous.
Replacements: Camille Chat, Uini Atonio, Jefferson Poirot, Alexandre Flanquart, Yacouba Camara, Maxime Machenaud, Jean-Marc Doussain, Maxime Mermoz
Sevens specialist Virimi Vakatawa is one of four uncapped players in the France squad to face Italy in Paris in Saturday's opening Six Nations match.