PARIS (AFP) - Former England captain David Beckham will start the friendly against France at the Stade de France later on Wednesday and become the fifth Englishman to win 100 caps.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid star had been expected to start on the bench but ultimately England coach Fabio Capello opted to introduce him from the start against the 1998 World Cup and Euro 2000 champions.

Beckham joins Billy Wright, Sir Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore and Peter Shilton as the members of the select century of caps club.

Beckham, who had missed out on his 100th cap in Capello's first match in charge the 2-1 friendly win over Switzerland, got the nod ahead of Blackburn Rovers' David Bentley, who had been England's most impressive performer against the Swiss.

Beckham, who played under Capello at Real Madrid, will start alongside Joe Cole and Steven Gerrard in midfield with Owen Hargreaves and Gareth Barry playing in the defensive midfield roles.