Bouthier and Haouas to make French debuts against England

Six Nations: France v England

Kick-off: 3pm, Sunday. Venue: Stade de France. How to follow: The Irish Times liveblog will begin at 2.30pm. On TV: Live on Virgin Media One.

Uncapped Anthony Bouthier and Mohamed Haouas will start France’s Six Nations opening game against England on Sunday as Les Bleus hope for a renaissance under new coach Fabien Galthie.

Fullback Bouthier will have to deal with England’s kicking game and prop Haouas will be tested by the pack of the World Cup runners-up in a much awaited ‘Crunch’ at the Stade de France.

Aoife Doyle returns to Ireland team for first time since 2015

---

Finn Russell’s absence in Dublin will either knit the Scottish players or cast a pall

---

Ireland under-20s opt for experience for Scotland opener

---

The starting XV has an average of less than 15 caps per player, although eight of them started the 2019 World Cup quarter-final game against Wales.

France have not won the Six Nations since 2010.

France: Anthony Bouthier; Teddy Thomas, Virimi Vakatawa, Gael Fickou, Damian Penaud; Romain Ntamack, Anthony Dupont; Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand, Mohamed Haouas; Bernard Le Roux, Paul Willemse; Francois Cros, Charles Ollivon (captain), Gregory Alldritt.

Replacements: Peato Mauvaka, Jefferson Poirot, Demba Bamba, Boris Palu, Cameron Woki, Baptiste Serin, Matthieu Jalibert, Vincent Rattez.