Friendly with England like Euro tie, says Domenech

Raymond Domenech has named an enlarged 39-man party, including 10 players from the Premier League, for the friendly double-header against Mali and England. With Domenech set to name his 23-man group for the European Championships in May, next week represents an ideal opportunity to take a look at any hopefuls.

France play Mali in an "A" international in Charlety, Paris on Tuesday and then England in a senior international at the Stade de France 24 hours later. For Domenech, there is no doubt about the biggest game his side will face before the tournament. "The three friendly matches will serve as preparation," he said. "But that is not the case against England. Against the English, we will have to put ourselves in a situation as if we are competing in the Euros."

France squad v Mali and England on 25 and 26 March respectively: Coupet (Lyons), Frey (Fiorentina), Landreau (Paris St-Germain), Mandanda (Marseilles); Abidal (Barcelona), Boumsong (Lyons), Clerc (Lyons), Clichy (Arsenal), Delpierre (Stuttgart), Escude (Seville), Evra (Manchester United), Gallas (Arsenal), Givet (Marseilles), Mexes (Roma), Rami (Lille), Sagna (Arsenal), Squillaci (Lyons), Thuram (Barcelona); Bodmer (Lyons), Diarra (Bordeaux), Diarra (Portsmouth), Flamini (Arsenal), Makelele (Chelsea), Mavuba (Lille), Nasri (Marseilles), Rothen (Paris St Germain), Toulalan (Lyons), Vieira (Internazionale); Anelka (Chelsea), Ben Arfa (Lyons), Benzema (Lyons), Briand (Rennes), Cissé (Marseilles), Govou (Lyons), Henry (Barcelona), Malouda (Chelsea), Ribery (Bayern Munich), Saha (Manchester United), Valbuena (Marseilles).