France name team for Ireland test

France head coach Jacques Brunel has picked an unchanged team for their Six Nations clash with Ireland.

In fact it's the same 23-man squad that defeated Scotland 27-10 in Paris last time out.

It means that the Toulouse halfback duo of Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack get another chance to impress. Their 23-year-old Toulouse clubmate Thomas Ramos again lines up at full-back and is set to take on the kicking duties at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday.

Guilhem Guirado captains the team with Jefferson Poirot and Brive tighthead Demba Bamba alongside him in the front row.

Félix Lambey and Sébastien Vahaamahina are in the second row, while the backrow comprises of Wenceslas Lauret, Arthur Iturria and Louis Picamoles.

The centre partnership sees Gael Fickou at inside centre, with the hulking Mathieu Bastareaud outside him.

Ireland are expected to name their team on Friday.

France team v Ireland

15. Thomas Ramos

14. Damian Penaud

13. Mathieu Bastareaud

12. Gaël Fickou

11. Yoann Huget

10. Romain Ntamack

9. Antoine Dupont

1. Jefferson Poirot

2. Guilhem Guirado (c)

3. Demba Bamba

4. Félix Lambey

5. Sébastien Vahaamahina

6. Wenceslas Lauret

7. Arthur Iturria

8. Louis Picamoles

Replacements:

16. Camille Chat

17. Etienne Falgoux

18. Dorian Aldegheri

19. Paul Willemse

20. Gregory Alldritt

21. Baptiste Serin

22. Anthony Belleau

23. Maxime Médard

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