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France change-up midfield and opt for 6-2 split on bench for Ireland
By Ian Cameron
Fresh from their Guinness Six Nations round one win over Italy last Sunday, France have now named their team to face Ireland in round two on Saturday.
Fabien Galthie has made two personnel changes to the starting XV in a clash billed as by some as a potential tournament decider.
There is a change at centre, with Bordeaux's Yoram Moefana coming into the side at 12, replacing the injured Jonathan Danty, with Gael Fickou moving to 13.
There is also a change on the replacements bench, with Galthie opting for a 6-2 split, with Dylan Cretin dropping to 21.
Thibaud Flament is also named on the bench, with Francois Cros promoted to the starting XV.
The Six Nations favourites began their bid for a first title since 2010 with a 37-10 bonus-point win over Italy at a rain-soaked Stade de France last weekend, with winger Gabin Villiere running in a hat-trick of tries.
Galthie was unable to attend the match against Italy due to a positive Covid-19 result, with France team manager Raphael Ibanez taking the reins in his absence.
"You could tell after 20 minutes we were lacking rugby together. Through the game I thought the boys did well," Ibanez told ITV. "Five tries and five points is good. Villiere is a warrior. He is a very good finisher. He is a good example for all of his teammates for his spirit."
"For next week we have to step up in every department. Ireland are not fourth in world ranking for nothing. The game they played yesterday was good."
Team: 15-Melvyn Jaminet, 14-Damian Penaud, 13-Gael Fickou, 12-Yoram Moefana, 11-Gabin Villiere, 10-Romain Ntamack, 9-Antoine Dupont (capt.), 8-Gregory Alldritt, 7-Cros, 6-Anthony Jelonch, 5-Paul Willemse, 4-Cameron Woki, 3-Uini Atonio, 2-Julien Marchand, 1-Cyril Baille. Replacements: 16-Peato Mauvaka, 17-Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18-Demba Bamba, 19-Romain Taofifenua, 20-Thibaud Flament, 21-Dylan Cretin 22-Maxime Lucu, 23-Thomas Ramos.
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Latest Comments
Ten years ago we were discussing how
Australia had made the Giteu Law and how we didn’t have to to do anything like that because NZ produced more talent than Australia.
The current model only works if you are constantly producing players good enough to take over when players leave.
New Zealand will struggle to do this as time goes on because rugby is dying here at the grass roots level.
Rugby league, football, basketball are where young kids are choosing to go more and more.
Even combat sports such as jiu jitsu are rapidly gaining in popularity all the time.
Picking players from overseas will give us a sugar hit of success for a wee while…. But the crash
afterward could be Wales-like.
Go to commentsYou see BS when you white Saffers (and you're white drop your ruse) make xenophobic comments, they are just flagging themselves as the type of white South African who would have been a defender of your despicable State back in the day. You are just too stupid too see it. When you say these things in front of non whites from your own country they will think you're just the type of Kant who would have them in chains a few decades ago. And you are that Kant.
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