Oscar Jegou and Hugo Auradou have been called up by France to prepare for the Six Nations after an Argentine court last month dropped aggravated sexual assault charges against the pair.

France head coach Fabien Galthie said on Tuesday the return of captain Antoine Dupont brings an "aura" to the team before they embark on this year's Six Nations. "It's quite a magical competition," former France captain Galthie said.

French Olympic star Antoine Dupont will bring his "aura" to Les Bleus as they seek to deny Ireland an unprecedented third successive Six Nations title, head coach Fabien Galthie said at the tournament launch on Tuesday.

Coach Warren Gatland is counting on some returning old heads to lead his young Wales squad in the Six Nations and create a siege mentality following a team record run of 12 defeats in a row that has plunged the country's rugby into crisis.