It will be the third time in 19 appearances for his country that Varane has been skipper, following the friendly matches against Sweden and Serbia last autumn.

In the latter match in Belgrade in September, the 21-year-old took the armband in the second half to become France's youngest captain in the post-War era.

"It gives me great pride. It comes with great responsibility too," said Varane.

"It is an advantage in my position to have the game in front of you."

Varane scored in Thursday's 3-1 home friendly loss to Brazil at the Stade de France, a match in which his Real Madrid colleague Karim Benzema was the captain.

Regular skipper Hugo Lloris, the Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper, is missing due to a knee injury.

In the absence of Lloris, Marseille's Steve Mandanda won his 20th cap against Brazil but Stephane Ruffier will start against Denmark in front of his home fans in Saint-Etienne.

"The fact that we are playing in Saint-Etienne is not insignificant. I did it for Steve in Marseille when we beat Sweden in November," pointed out Deschamps.

Benoit Tremoulinas of Sevilla may win his third cap at left-back in place of Patrice Evra, who along with Benzema did not train on Saturday due to what Deschamps termed "a small worry".