Guy Noves has sprung something of a surprise by making six changes to the France team to take on Ireland in Paris on Saturday. The opening weekend victory over Italy was far from ideal for the new French coach and he's taken the opportunity to freshen things up significantly this weekend.
Both props are out with Jefferson Poirot and Atonio Uini coming in for Rabah Slimani and Eddy Ben Arous respectively. Louis Picamoles is out of the tournament through injury while Gael Fickou misses out for personal reasons so in come Yacouba Camara and Maxime Mermoz.
Elsewhere, Teddy Thomas comes in on the wing while, in the second row, Alexandre Flanquart replaces Paul Jedrasiak.
Joe Schmidt will name his starting XV following training this morning.
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#XVdeFrance Découvrez la composition d'équipe pour le match face à l'Irlande! #soutienslexv #FRAIRL pic.twitter.com/ipLa8dVZvc
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) February 11, 2016
France team to face Ireland:
Backs: 15. Maxime Medard, 14. Teddy Thomas, 13. Maxime Mermoz, 12. Jonathan Danty, 11. Virimi Vakatawa, 10. Jules Plisson, 9. Sebastian Bezy.
Forwards: 1. Jefferson Poirot, 2. Guilhem Guirado, 3. Atonio Uini, 4. Alexandre Flanquart, 5. Yoann Maestri, 6. Lauret Wenceslas, 7. Yacouba Camara, 8. Damien Chouly.
Replacements: Camille Chat, Rabah Slimani, Eddy Ben Arous, Paul Jedrasiak, Loann Goujon, Maxime Machenaud, Jean-Marc Doussain, Hugo Bonneval.
