Damian Penaud and Anthony Jelonch return to the French starting 15 for their trip to Dublin for this Sunday’s game against Ireland.
Penaud, who plies his trade as a winger with Clermont Auvergne, replaces Teddy Thomas while Castres flanker Jelonch comes in for Dylan Cretin as head coach Fabien Galthié makes two changes from the team that comfortably dispatched of Italy in Rome last weekend.
The away team will be captained by Charles Ollivon who leads a strong French pack that will take to the field at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday.
However, all eyes will be on the back-line with some of the most in-form players in the world gracing the Lansdowne Road pitch.
Antoine Dupont and Matthieu Jalibert line-out at halfback with Gael Fickou and Arthur Vincent combining in the midfield. The back three consists of Brice Dulin at full-back with Penaud and Gabin Villiere on either wing of an electric French attack.
France will be heavy favourites for Sunday’s game considering both sides form and respective injury concerns. Despite this, the Aviva has not been a happy hunting ground for the French in recent times, having failed to win in Dublin since 2011.
France team to face Ireland (Aviva Stadium, Sunday, 14 Feb, 15:00)
15. Brice Dulin
14. Damien Penaud
13. Arthur Vincent
12. Gael Fickou
11. Gabin Villiere
10. Matthieu Jalibert
9. Antoine Dupont
8. Grégory Alldritt
7. Charles Ollivon
6. Anthony Jelonch
5. Paul Willemse
4. Bernard Le Roux
3. Mohammed Haouas
2. Julien Marchand
1. Cyril Baille
