Corrigan to start against France

Reggie Corrigan will start against France on Saturday in Ireland’s second Six Nations game after illness ruled prop Marcus Horan out of the trip to Paris. Corrigan gets the nod ahead of Ulster’s Simon Best who is more suited to tighthead.

With four caps to his name Best’s inexperience may also have been a factor in the decision as he is unaccustomed to the cauldron that is expected at the Stade de France.

Leinster prop Corrigan will leave for Paris with the squad this afternoon and earn his 45th cap on Saturday.

Horan is suffering from the winter vomiting bug and will remain in Ireland to recover.

France coach Bernard Laporte has reverted to the tried and tested and made five changes after defeat to Scotland and ahead of Saturday's clash.

London Irish flanker Olivier Magne and Wasps hooker Raphael Ibanez are recalled to pack at the expense of Remy Martin and Dimitri Szarzewski in the wake of the 20-16 defeat at Murrayfield.

"Raphael and Olivier can add dynamism to the team and add pace," France team manager Jo Maso said.

"Their experience can boost our side. They have great abilities and they can show that age does not matter. The most important thing is their determination and their strong mindset. When they are in top form they can achieve great things, and they are in top form."

Fullback Nicolas Brusque, centre Ludovic Valbon and prop Sylvain Marconnet have also been replaced.

Brusque, whose omission is as much down to injury as it is form, will be covered at number 15 by wing Christophe Dominici, as Aurelien Rougerie returns to the right and Cedric Heymans moves to the left.

After a shaky Six Nations debut, Brive centre Valbon is replaced by David Marty and loosehead prop Olivier Milloud is promoted from the bench instead of Marconnet.

Outhalf Frederic Michalak keeps his place despite a below par performance at Murrayfield.

"Fred did not perform well and he knows it," said Laporte. "We discussed it with him a lot but we decided to make a wise decision and trust the pair Jean-Baptiste Elissalde (scrumhalf) and Michalak again."

France defeated Ireland 37-17 in their last encounter at the Stade de France in 2004 and beat them 26-19 at Lansdowne Road last season. Ireland recorded their last win in Paris in 2000 when current captain Brian O’Driscoll scored a hat-trick of tries.