Harinordoquy to start against Ireland
France have promoted Imanol Harinordoquy to their starting line-up as one of four changes for Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations clash with Ireland.
Harinordoquy was named on the bench for last weekend’s 30-12 victory over Italy, but has been selected ahead of Julien Bonnaire due to his line-out presence.
All four changes have been made to the pack with two of them taking place in the front row.
Jean-Baptiste Poux comes in for Vincent Debaty at prop while hooker Dimitri Szarzewski replaces William Servat.
In the second row, Yoann Maestri has been given the nod ahead of Lionel Nallet.
Coach Philippe Saint-Andre has opted to retain the same back line after they scored all four tries against Italy.
World Cup finalists France are favourites to win the 2012 Six Nations and are expected to beat Ireland, who have triumphed in Paris just once since 1972.
Ireland, who were dispatched 23-21 by Wales on Sunday, name their team on Thursday.
France: M Medard (Toulouse); V Clerc (Toulouse), A Rougerie (Clermont Auvergne), W Fofana (Clermont Auvergne), J Malzieu (Clermont Auvergne); F Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), D Yachvili (Biarritz); J-B Poux (Toulouse), D Szarzewski (Stade Francais), N Mas (Perpignan), P Pape (Stade Francais), Y Maestri (Toulouse), T Dusautoir (Toulouse, capt), I Harinordoquy (Biarritz), L Picamoles (Toulouse).
Replacements: W Servat (Toulouse), V Debaty (Clermont Auvergne), L Nallet (Racing Metro), J Bonnaire (Clermont Auvergne), M Parra (Clermont Auvergne), L Beauxis (Toulouse), M Mermoz (Perpignan).
