France Team Named To Face Ireland
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France head coach Fabien Galthie has named his matchday squad to face Ireland in the final round of the Six Nations.
There is just one personnel change to the starting XV from the side that defeated Wales 38-21 last week with Teddy Thomas ruled out of the match through injury. This sees Arthur Vicent being promoted from the bench to the starting XV with Gael Fickou switching to the wing.
The pack remains the same with Charles Ollivon captaining the side from the #7 jersey with Francois Cros and Gregory Alldritt completing the back row. Bernard Le Roux has been cleared to play after his citing for a challenge on Alun-Wyn Jones and packs down alongside Paul Willemse while Julien Marchand is flanked by loosehead Cyrill Balle and tighthead Mohamed Haouas in the front row.
Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack continuing their partnership at 9 and 10 respectively with Virimi Vakatawa linking up with Vincent in the centres. Fickou's move to the left wing means Vincent Rattez starts on the right with Anthony Bouthier passing his HIA protocols to start at fullback.
The forwards on the bench remain unchanged with the likes of Camille Chat, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Demba Bamba, Romain Toafifenua and Dylan Cretin all featuring while Baptiste Serin and Thomas Ramos also retain their places. With Teddy Thomas ruled out there is a potential test debut for scrumhalf/winger Arthur Retiere who takes the #22 jersey.
If France are to win the Six Nations title, they must beat Ireland in Paris AND better England’s result against Italy. Les Bleus are currently level on points with England, so a bonus-point victory over Ireland coupled with Eddie Jones’ troops losing to, drawing with or beating Italy without a bonus point would hand them the title.
