Louis Picamoles and Dimitri Szarzewski back as France name strongest XV

France coach Philippe Saint-André has probably picked his strongest starting XV of this year's Six Nations in making four changes to the line-up from Scotland last week, simply by dint of recalling Castres' Remi Tálès ahead of Jules Plisson, who had started their previous four games at outhalf.

As was also anticipated, Dimitri Szarzewski has also been recalled at hooker, while Toulouse number eight Louis Picamoles returns, albeit at blindside in place of Sébastien Vahaamahina. In addition, Gaël Fickou starts at inside centre ahead of Maxime Mermoz, who is one of just two backs amongst the replacements as Saint-André opts for a heavyweight six-two split on the bench.

They thus look better equipped to not only cope with the potent Irish maul, but seek to impose their own, although with Jean-Marc Doussain covering nine and ten, and Maxime Mermoz preferred to Hugo Bonneval, they have limited options in the backs and no obvious back three cover.

“[Picamoles] will alternate with Damien Chouly during the game,” explained Saint-André. “But I don’t want to say any more regarding our strategy as I’m sure there are Irish journalists in the room.”