The 20-year-old center was selected ahead of Cyril Julian, which has all but ended the veteran¡¯s international career after 10 years and 135 caps.

¡°I am happy, of course, but it's difficult to express my joy as I know I earned my place over another player,¡± said Petro in L'Equipe.

¡°Everyone is a little bit frustrated. I did not want to go back home and I know Cyril didn¡¯t either.¡±

Coach Claude Bergeaud conceded his choice was ¡°painful¡± to make, then went on to warn Petro and his fellow young team-mates they would have to live up to expectations in Japan.

But Petro is confident he can repay Bergeaud¡¯s faith at the tournament, which runs from August 19 to September 3.

He said: ¡°I now have to show Claude that he made the right choice. During our last tournament in China I showed what I was capable of.

¡°Every match I played I felt it was the last one so I gave my best. I have to continue making a tremendous effort.

¡°I have a lot of respect for Cyril, who had been a key element in France's successes in the past 10 years. Now I am taking over and I must impose my style too.¡±

Les Bleus, who have won eight of their 12 warm-up matches, are in Group A along with Argentina, Lebanon, Nigeria, Serbia & Montenegro and Venezuela.

They tip off against 2004 Olympic gold-medal winners Argentina on Sunday, before playing two-time defending world champions Serbia & Montenegro on Sunday.