Poitrenaud And Bonnaire To Start For France
France head coach Philippe Saint-André has made two changes to the team the beat Scotland last time out, with Clément Poitrenaud and Julien Bonnaire set to start against Ireland on Sunday afternoon.
With Maxime Médard ruled out with a knee injury, his Toulouse team-mate Clément Poitrenaud will start in his place at full-back for les Bleus.
The other change in personnel from the 23-17 victory over the Scots sees Julien Bonnaire return to the back row with Louise Picamoles dropping to the replacements bench.
In comparison to the side that was originally due to face Ireland last month, there are three alterations to the selection.
Poitrenaud and Morgan Parra come in for Médard and Dimitri Yachvili in the backs, while Bonnaire is the new inclusion in the forwards with Imanol Harinordoquy shifting to number 8.
Discussing the selection calls, Philippe Saint-André admitted that Bonnaire’s call-up will help the French combat Ireland’s strengths in the lineout.
“Ireland always play quick lineouts. We had problems with our lineouts at the start against Scotland, plus Bonnaire gives us great mobility,” he said.
“Louis was good in defence and he tidied up well, but he struggled with the attacking side of the game and knows he should have participated more. We want to see him running with the ball in his hand.”
France were victorious in their opening two Championship games, beating Italy at home and Scotland away. This will be the 90th Test meeting of Ireland and France, with les Bleus have won 11 of the sides’ last 12 encounters.
FRANCE Team & Replacements (v Ireland, 2012 RBS 6 Nations Championship, Stade de France, Sunday, March 4, kick-off 4pm local time/3pm Irish time):
15. Clément Poitrenaud (Toulouse)
14. Vincent Clerc (Toulouse)
13. Aurélien Rougerie (Clermont Auvergne)
12. Wesley Fofana (Clermont Auvergne)
11. Julien Malzieu (Clermont Auvergne)
10. François Trinh-Duc (Montpellier)
9. Morgan Parra (Clermont Auvergne)
1. Jean-Baptiste Poux (Toulouse)
2. Dimitri Szarzewski (Stade Français)
3. Nicolas Mas (Perpignan)
4. Pascal Papé (Stade Français)
5. Yoann Maestri (Toulouse)
6. Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse) (capt)
7. Julien Bonnaire (Clermont Auvergne)
8. Imanol Harinordoquy (Biarritz Olympique)
Replacements:
16. William Servat (Toulouse)
17. Vincent Debaty (Clermont Auvergne)
18. Lionel Nallet (Racing-Metro 92)
19. Louis Picamoles (Toulouse)
20. Julien Dupuy (Stade Français)
21. Lionel Beauxis (Toulouse)
22. Maxime Mermoz (Perpignan)
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