We know who’s going to be lining up against us on Saturday, so let’s go beat the sh*te out of them!
French coach Philippe Saint André has made four changes to the side that struggled to an unconvincing win over Scotland in Murrayfield and in front of their home crowd, with pressure building amongst the rugby community in France and, lest we forget, with the Championship still a possibility, you’d imagine they’ll be determined to put in a good show on Saturday.
Louis Picamoles returns to the back-row as blindside flanker after being dropped for the Scotland game for disciplinary issues, while Dimitri Szarzewski comes in at hooker.
Having played the first four games, out-half Jules Plisson drops out of the 23 and will be replaced by Remi Tálès, with Gaël Fickou coming in to partner the monstrous Mathieu Bastareaud in the centre.
Does this look a side that can stop Ireland winning what will only be our second Six Nations title? We’ll soon see. Roll on Sunday.
France team to play Ireland: Brice Dulin; Yoann Huget, Mathieu Bastareaud, Gaël Fickou, Maxime Médard; Remi Tálès, Maxime Machenaud; Thomas Domingo, Dimitri Szarzewski, Nicolas Mas; Pascal Papé, Yoann Maestri; Louis Picamoles, Alexandre Lapandry, Damien Chouly.
Replacements: Guilhem Guirado, Vincent Debaty, Rabah Slimani, Alexandre Flanquart, Sébastien Vahaamahina, Wenceslas Lauret, Jean-Marc Doussain, Maxime Mermoz
