Bastareaud included in France's Six Nations squad
Bastareaud's selection was no surprise as Brunel had defended the Toulon back on Tuesday following a controversial homophobic slur used by the 29-year-old in a match against Treviso on Sunday that was widely heard on live television.
Bastareaud may yet have to withdraw from the squad, though, as he faces a European Professional Club Rugby hearing for his offence that could see him banned for the entirety of the Six Nations.
Brunel dropped out-of-form Montpellier No.8 Louis Picamoles and Toulon flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc, who has lost his place at both club and country to young star Anthony Belleau.
Squad:
Forwards: Eddy Ben Arous, Yacouba Camara, Camille Chat, Paul Gabrillaugues, Cedate Gomes Sa, Kevin Gourdon, Guilhem Guirado, Arthur Iturria, Anthony Jelonch, Felix Lambey, Wenceslas Lauret, Sekou Macalou, Jefferson Poirot, Dany Priso, Rabah Slimani, Marco Tauleigne, Christopher Tolofua, Sebastien Vahaamahina
Backs: Mathieu Bastareaud, Anthony Belleau, Henry Chavancy, Geoffrey Doumayrou, Brice Dulin, Antoine Dupont, Benjamin Fall, Matthieu Jalabert, Remi Lamerat, Maxime Machenaud, Geoffrey Palis, Morgan Parra, Teddy Thomas, Virimi Vakatawa
Agence France-Presse
