Arthur Vincent will start in the centres for France’s crunch Guinness Six Nations clash with Ireland on Super Saturday, as Fabien Galthié opts for just one change to his starting XV.
Teddy Thomas picked up an injury in Les Bleus’ impressive 38-21 victory over Wales last Friday, meaning Gaël Fickou will slide out to the wing, with Vincent taking the No.12 jersey.
Montpellier centre Vincent made his international debut from the bench in France’s Round 1 victory over England back in February, before starting the following three games against Italy, Wales and Scotland.
Aside from the injury-enforced switch away from Thomas, Galthié has kept faith with the side that shone a week ago, as Les Bleus seek their first Championship title since 2010.
We ran through all the permutations HERE but to lift the trophy, France will need to beat Ireland in Paris on Saturday evening and either better England’s result against Italy from earlier in the day or match it and overhaul Eddie Jones’s side on points difference.
Lock Bernard le Roux has been cleared to play after a disciplinary committee ruled that an alleged act of foul play he committed against Wales wasn’t a red card offence.
Le Roux is joined in the second row by Paul Willemse, while a dynamic back row again consists of François Cros, skipper Charles Ollivon and Gregory Alldritt.
Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack are the half-backs, while Virimi Vakatawa partners Vincent in midfield and La Rochelle’s back-three star Arthur Retiere could finally make his France debut from the bench.
France team to face Ireland in Round 5 of the 2020 Guinness Six Nations 15. Anthony Bouthier – 5 caps 14. Vincent Rattez – 6 caps 13. Virimi Vakatawa – 25 caps 12. Arthur Vincent – 5 caps 11. Gaël Fickou – 56 caps 10. Romain Ntamack – 17 caps 9. Antoine Dupont – 25 caps
1. Cyril Baille – 21 caps 2. Julien Marchand – 7 caps 3. Mohamed Haouas – 5 caps 4. Bernard Le Roux – 42 caps 5. Paul Willemse – 10 caps 6. François Cros – 7 caps 7. Charles Ollivon (CAPTAIN) – 16 caps 8. Gregory Alldritt – 16 caps
Replacements: 16. Camille Chat – 28 caps 17. Jean-Baptiste Gros – 3 caps 18. Demba Bamba – 12 caps 19. Romain Taofifenua – 18 caps 20. Dylan Cretin – 3 caps 21. Baptiste Serin – 37 caps 22. Arthur Retiere – 0 caps 23. Thomas Ramos – 12 caps
