All to play for as Ireland squares up to France
Ireland faced an enormous test of their Grand Slam ambitions when France arrived in Dublin with the intention of nudging their own RBS 6 Nations title bid back on track.
Accusations of mind games heightened tensions in the build up and there was much at stake for both sides in a contest that promised another dramatic chapter of a thrilling championship.
Ireland – led out by Denis Hickie who reached the 50-cap landmark today – made just a single change to the side which defeated England with Ulster veteran Kevin Maggs replacing fractured thumb victim Shane Horgan.
Harlequins back Gavin Duffy took Maggs’ place on the bench while Leinster star Gordon D’Arcy sat out his third successive Six Nations encounter with the hamstring injury he sustained in the opener against Italy.
France’s plans suffered greater disruption on the injury front with Brive centre Ludovic Valbon – himself a replacement for Damien Traille – dropping out on Thursday with a calf problem.
Toulouse’s Benoit Baby made his full debut in place of Valbon while substitute hooker William Servat was ruled out this morning with a bruised right knee. Dimitri Szarzewski was promoted from the ’A’ team to the bench.
The day marked a special occasion for inspirational Les Bleus skipper Fabien Pelous who joined an elite band by becoming only the fifth player in rugby history to make 100 Test appearances.
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