How does this effect Joe Schmidt’s thinking?
The Ireland coach is set to name his team for Saturday’s clash with France before lunch, but his French counterpart Guy Noves has set the cat among the pigeons with half-a-dozen changes from the XV that crept past Italy.
Flanker Louis Picamoles and centre Gael Fickou miss out through injury and are replaced by Yacouba Camara and Maxime Mermoz respectively, but it is in the front row where the former Toulouse coach has rolled the dice.
Both props from the Italy match, Rabah Slimani and Eddy Ben Arous, are stood down with Jefferson Poirot and the giant Atonio Uini coming in either side of hooker and captain Guilhem Guirado.
Tighthead Uini is the biggest Test player in the world and will ask serious questions of Jack McGrath, if the Leinster man retains his place at loosehead.
Elsewhere Teddy Thomas replaces Hugo Bonneval on the wing and Alexandre Flanquart comes in at lock for Paul Jedrasiak.
#XVdeFrance Découvrez la composition d'équipe pour le match face à l'Irlande! #soutienslexv #FRAIRL pic.twitter.com/ipLa8dVZvc
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) February 11, 2016
