UPDATE 1-Rugby-France name heavyweight backrow to face Boks

* Harinordoquy switched to flanker

* Traille moved to fullback

* Mermoz and David will form new centre pairing

(Adds details, quotes, byline)

By Jean-Paul Couret

MARCOUSSIS, France, Nov 9 (Reuters) - France will rely on an heavyweight backrow to try and contain world champions South Africa in their first test in Toulouse on Friday (1945).

Regular number eight Imanol Harinordoquy has been switched to blindside flanker with Louis Picamoles packing into the back of the scrum and captain Thierry Dusautoir starting at openside flanker.

"We picked a backrow that offers a lot of guarantees in terms of power and experience," coach Marc Lievremont told a news conference at the team's training camp in Marcoussis on Monday.

Asked if he had considered selecting Sebastien Chabal in the backrow, the French coach answered with a blunt "no" before adding: "Even if he his less explosive than Chabal, Picamoles has proved his worth in terms of power."