French coach sees no need to make changes

Published on Monday 8 February 2010 22:10

FRANCE coach Marc Lievremont has named an unchanged 23-man squad for Saturday's RBS Six Nations clash against Grand Slam champions Ireland.

Les Bleus started their campaign with an 18-9 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield and Lievremont has kept faith with his charges from the Edinburgh trip.

"The group of 23 players will be retained despite the uncertainties," he said. "It's been a while since there was continuity in the France team, given injuries and dips in form."

Clermont Auvergne wing Aurelien Rougerie, Bayonne wing Benjamin Fall and Castres prop Luc Ducalcon were having various injuries assessed in Paris yesterday. "We will know more tonight," added Lievremont.

The starting XV for this weekend's clash at the Stade de France will be announced tomorrow morning in Marcoussis.

France squad (to play Ireland at Stade de France on Saturday)

Forwards: T Domingo (Clermont Auvergne), L Ducalcon (Castres), S Marconnet (Stade Francais), N Mas (Perpignan), W Servat (Toulouse), D Szarzewski (Stade Francais), P Pape (Stade Francais), L Nallet (Racing-Metro), J Pierre (Clermont Auvergne), J Bonnaire (Clermont Auvergne), T Dusautoir (Toulouse), I Harinordoquy (Biarritz), F Ouedraogo (Montpellier).

Backs: M Parra (Clermont Auvergne), F Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), F Michalak (Toulouse), M Bastareaud (Stade Francais), Y Jauzion (Toulouse), D Marty (Perpignan), V Clerc (Toulouse), A Rougerie (Clermont Auvergne), B Fall (Bayonne), C Poitrenaud (Toulouse).