France back Willemse for Ireland duel

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SA-born lock Paul Willemse starts for France as coach Fabien Galthie named the same run-on XV for Saturday’s Six Nations trip to Ireland as the one that beat Italy last week.

Les Bleus, the defending champions who are ranked second in the world, made changes to their bench for this weekend’s visit to the top-ranked team in Dublin.

Galthie said on Thursday he had “no surprises” in his unchanged starting team to face Ireland at the Aviva Stadium.

“There are no surprises in the starting line-up, nor among the finishers,” he told reporters. “What is behind the selection is the performance and the bonus point victory, with our objectives achieved.

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“The coherence too, it’s three weeks that we’ve worked with the starting lineup. Also, there’s the search for consistency.”

Toulouse flanker Francois Cros comes in for La Rochelle lock Thomas Lavault and Lyon scrumhalf Baptiste Couilloud replaces Racing 92’s Nolan Le Garrec after the 29-24 win over Italy in Rome.

Loose forward Anthony Jelonch keeps his place despite sitting out full training on Wednesday.

The match takes place less than seven months out from the start of the Rugby World Cup, which France will host.

© Agence France-Presse

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