Galthié, bidding to guide Les Bleus to a maiden World Cup title on home soil, revealed his final squad in a lunchtime announcement on French television.
He opted to include flanker Anthony Jelonch, who has not played since rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament during the Six Nations showdown against Scotland in February.
“Anthony has worked a lot to get back to where he is now,” Galthie told TF1. “He’s not fit now but we think he will be back to his best by mid-September.”
The French coach took another gamble on the fitness of prop Cyril Baille, who suffered a calf injury a fortnight ago in a warm-up test, also against Scotland, and was originally ruled out for up to six weeks.
Paul Willemse, who missed out on the last World Cup in Japan because of injury, was also selected this time, having successfully completed his comeback from injury in a weekend test against Fiji.
Les Bleus open the World Cup by facing three-time winners New Zealand in a tantalising curtain-raiser at the Stade de France on September 8.
They then play Uruguay six days later, Namibia on September 21 and end their Pool A campaign against Italy on October 6.
The home nation suffered a huge setback last week when first-choice fly-half Romain Ntamack was ruled out of the tournament with a serious knee injury.
In his absence, fly-halfs Antoine Hastoy and Matthieu Jalibert will jostle for the starting berth in the opening game against the All Blacks.
Galthié has chosen not to pick a third N.10 with fullback Thomas Ramos able to fill that role if needed.
