FRANCE HEAD COACH Guy Noves has sprung a couple of surprises in his selection for Saturday’s game against Ireland, with his team showing six changes in personnel from the opening weekend.

Perhaps the biggest surprise comes in the front row where Noves has opted to change both his props with Rabah Slimani and Eddy Ben Arous dropping to the bench.

Jefferson Poirot and Atonio Uini are preferred for the Six Nations showdown in Paris while the injured Louis Picamoles, who will miss the rest of the tournament, is replaced by Yacouba Camara.

Toulon hooker Guilhen Guirado, who captains the side once again, wins his 40th Test cap.

Behind the scrum, Teddy Thomas is drafted in for Hugo Bonneval on the wing and Gael Fickou misses out through injury, with Maxime Mermoz his replacement.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt will announce his starting XV later this afternoon.

Kick-off at the Stade de France on Saturday is at 2.25pm.

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France (v Ireland):

15. Maxime Medard
14. Teddy Thomas
13. Maxime Mermoz
12. Jonathan Danty
11. Virimi Vakatawa
10. Jules Plisson
9. Sebastian Bezy

1. Jefferson Poirot
2. Guilhem Guirado
3. Atonio Uini
4. Alexandre Flanquart
5. Yoann Maestri
6. Lauret Wenceslas
7. Yacouba Camara
8. Damien Chouly

Replacements:

16. Camille Chat
17. Rabah Slimani
18. Eddy Ben Arous
19. Paul Jedrasiak
20. Loann Goujon
21. Maxime Machenaud
22. Jean-Marc Doussain
23. Hugo Bonneval

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