Big French changes for Ireland Six Nations

Feb 11, 2016 - 10:57 AM euters - France have made six changes for their Six Nations rugby match against defending champions Ireland.

France played four newcomers in their starting line-up who pipped Italy 23-21 and squeezed out a win thanks to five-eighth Jules Plisson's mammoth late kick from 54 metres.

Knowing Ireland will pose a far greater threat in the scrum, coach Guy Noves has changed his props - drafting in Uini Atonio for Rabah Slimani and Jefferson Poirot for Eddy Ben Arous for Saturday's clash (Sunday AEDT) at the Stade de France.

"In modern rugby, there is no starter or replacements. It's more of a relay. It's not a sanction," Noves told a news conference on Thursday.

"Of course, the players are evaluated but we also want to see the players in the squad play."

Yacouba Camara comes in to replace the injured Louis Picamoles at No.8 and Alexandre Flanquart takes the place of Paul Jedrasiak at lock.

In the backs, Teddy Thomas comes in for Hugo Bonneval on the right wing and Maxime Mermoz steps in for Gael Fickou.

France squad:

Maxime Medard; Teddy Thomas, Maxime Mermoz, Jonathan Danty, Virimi Vakatawa; Jules Plisson, Sebastien Bezy; Jefferson Poirot, Guilhem Guirado (capt), Uini Atonio, Alexandre Flanquart, Yoann Maestri, Wenceslas Lauret, Yacouba Camara, Damien Chouly.

Res: Camille Chat, Rabah Slimani, Eddy Ben Arous, Paul Jedrasiak, Loann Goujon, Maxime Machenaud, Jean-Marc Doussain, Hugo Bonneval.

Source: AAP