France head coach Philippe Saint-Andre has added two new players to his squad for the trip to Dublin with injuries forcing the inclusion of prop Vincent Debaty and lock Jocelino Suta.
Following the 15-8 home win over Scotland last Saturday in the first round of the Six Nations the duo replace the injured prop Alexandre Menini and second row Alexandre Flanquart. Both have been withdrawn from the 30-man squad named to travel to Ireland for next Saturday's encounter with the reigning tournament winners.
Menini picked up a foot injury injury during the match against Scotland, while Flanquart did not feature in that game either as he continues to struggle with a neck injury.
In a statement announcing the French squad it was explained that;
“Alexandre Flanquart (Stade French Paris) is not reset to 100 per cent from his neck injury in order to train during collective sessions with touch this week. Jocelino Suta (RC Toulon) replaces him in the France group.
“Alexandre Menini (RC Toulon) injured his right foot during yesterday’s meeting and is replaced by Vincent Debaty (ASM Clermont Auvergne).
“Gaël Fickou (Stade Toulousain), who was called into the France group in Canet en Roussillon to compensate for the absence of Captain Thierry Dusautoir has re-joined his club.”
France squad:
Forwards: Uini Atonio, Eddy Ben Arous, Vincent Debaty, Nicolas Mas, Rabah Slimani, Guilhem Guirado, Benjamin Kayser, Yoann Maestri, Pascal Pape, Jocelino Suta, Romain Taofifenua, Damien Chouly, Thierry Dusautoir, Loann Goujon, Wencelas Lauret, Bernard Le Roux, Yannick Nyanga.
Backs: Rory Kockott, Morgan Parra, Camille Lopez, Remi Tales, Mathieu Bastareaud, Wesley Fofana, Remi Lamerat, Sofiane Guitoune, Yoann Huget, Noa Nakaitaci, Teddy Thomas, Brice Dulin, Scott Spedding.
