France v Ireland, Six Nations, March 4
France call in Bonnaire and Poitrenaud
ESPNscrum Staff
February 29, 2012
France fanker Julien Bonnaire looks on, Canada v France, Rugby World Cup, McLean Park, Napier, New Zealand, September 18, 2011
Julien Bonnaire has been named in the France line-up to face Ireland © Getty Images
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Players/Officials: Julien Bonnaire | Clement Poitrenaud
Tournaments/Tours: Six Nations
Teams: France | Ireland

France boss Philippe Saint-Andre has made two changes for Sunday's Six Nations clash with Ireland, introducing Julien Bonnaire and Clement Poitrenaud to the starting side.

Bonnaire, the Clermont Auvergne flanker, starts at openside in a re-jigged loose-trio. Toulouse No.8 Louis Picamoles drops to the bench, with his place at the base of the scrum taken by Imanol Harinordoquy.

Poitrenaud deputises for the injured Maxime Medard at fullback, having not started a Test match since last season's loss to England at Twickenham.

France have two wins from two - after clashes with Italy and Scotland - but their Murrayfield form will need to be raised if they are to keep alive their hopes of a possible Grand Slam decider with Wales in the final round of action.

France: C Poitrenaud (Toulouse), V Clerc (Toulouse), A Rougerie (Clermont Auvergne), W Fofana (Clermont Auvergne), J Malzieu (Clermont Auvergne), F Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), M Parra (Clermont Auvergne), JB Poux (Toulouse), D Szarzewski (Stade Francais), N Mas (Perpignan), P Pape (Stade Francais), Y Maestri (Toulouse), T Dusautoir (Toulouse), J Bonnaire (Clermont Auvergne), I Harinordoquy (Biarritz)

Replacements: W Servat (Toulouse), V Debaty (Clermont Auvergne), L Nallet (Racing Metro), L Picamoles (Toulouse), J Dupuy (Stade Francais), L Beauxis (Toulouse), M Mermoz (Perpignan)

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