The task of defeating France in Paris on Saturday night is a formidable one, but at least Ireland have one less Frenchman to worry about after Dimitri Yachvili was ruled out.
The impish scrum half with the lethal left boot is suffering with a back problem that has forced his withdrawal, but unfortunately for Ireland, Morgan Parra ain’t a bad man to come in instead. Julien Dupuy will take Parra’s place on the replacements bench.
French coach Philippe Saint-Andre had been optimistic that Yachvili would recover in time to face Ireland, but when it became clear that he was struggling to make it, he wanted to give Parra enough time to prepare for Saturday night’s clash.
“We thought primarily of the player’s well-being but the pain does not go,” Saint-Andre said.
“In order not to damage the preparation of this important game, I decided to make a decision 48 hours ahead of the match and allow his successor to work with us during the next two days on the combinations that we have put in place for two weeks.
“I am obviously sad for Dimitri, who always brings a lot to France’s game in regard to his experience and I wish him a speedy recovery.”
Yachvili added: “I do not feel 100 per cent, and I think it is more reasonable to rest and take care of myself to be operational again as soon as possible.”
Saint-André had no need to make any further changes to the side named earlier in the week, which has a worryingly strong look about it. The Irish team is expected to be announced around 1.15 pm this afternoon.
France: Maxime Medard; Vincent Clerc, Aurelien Rougerie, Wesley Fofana, Julien Malzieu; Francois Trinh-Duc, Morgan Parra; Louis Picamoles, Imanol Harinordoquy, Thierry Dusautoir; Yoann Maestri, Pascal Pape; Nicolas Mas, Dimitry Szarzewski, Jean-Baptiste Poux
Replacements: William Servat, Vincent Debaty, Lionel Nallet, Julien Bonnaire, Julien Dupuy , Lionel Beauxis, Maxime Mermoz
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