France makes four changes for visit of Ireland on Saturday
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FRANCE has made a range of changes for Saturday’s late kick-off clash with Ireland in Paris.
Coach Philippe Saint-Andre announced four changes in al for the 8pm showdown with Declan Kidney’s side at the Stade de France.
The beaten World Cup finalists enjoyed a 30-12 success over Italy in Saint-Andre’s his first match in charge on Saturday, while Ireland lost narrowly at home to Walses.
In the front-row Jean-Baptiste Poux takes over at loose-head prop from Vincent Debaty while Dimitri Szarzewski comes in at hooker for William Servat.
Yoann Maestri of Toulouse wins his first cap at lock in place of veteran Lionel Nallet, who drops down to the bench, while Imanol Harinordoquy takes over from Julian Bonnaire at flanker.
"We thought we needed some new blood," Saint-Andre said.
"Maybe we put too much work in last week because it's true we lacked a bit of vitality against Italy at the start of the game.
"No-one is being punished - it's team-comes-first approach. There are just some adjustments made, taking into account it's Ireland we are playing."
The team: Maxime Medard; Vincent Clerc, Aurelien Rougerie, Wesley Fofana, Julien Malzieu; Francois Trinh-Duc, Dimitri Yachvili; Louis Picamoles, Imanol Harinordoquy, Thierry Dusautoir; Yoann Maestri, Pascal Pape; Nicolas Mas, Dimitry Szarzewski, Jean-Baptiste Poux
Replacements: William Servat, Vincent Debaty, Lionel Nallet, Julien Bonnaire, Morgan Parra, Lionel Beauxis, Maxime Mermoz
- Independent.ie reporters
