France change three for Ireland crunch clash

He brought in Rabah Slimani, Bernard Le Roux and Yoann Huget.

Prop Slimani takes the place of Uini Atonio, who drops to the bench, with flank Le Roux and fullback Huget coming in for injured pair Loann Goujon and Virimi Vakatawa.

Both Ireland and France won one and lost one of their opening two Six Nations games and a victory is vital to stay in the hunt to win this season's championship.

France beat Scotland 22-16 in Paris last time out while Ireland thrashed Italy 63-10 in Rome.

France: 15 Scott Spedding, 14 Yoann Huget, 13 Remi Lamerat, 12 Gael Fickou, 11 Noa Nakaitaci, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Baptiste Serin, 8 Kevin Gourdon, 7 Louis Picamoles, 6 Bernard Le Roux, 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Guilhem Guirado (captain), 1 Cyril Baille.

Replacements: 16 Christopher Tolofua, 17 Uini Atonio, 18 Eddy Ben Arous, 19 Julien Le Devedec, 20 Charles Ollivon, 21 Maxime Machenaud, 22 Henry Chavancy, 23 Djibril Camara.

Date: Saturday, February 25

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Kick-off: 16.50 (17.50 French time; 16.50 GMT)

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Luke Pearce (England)

TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)

Agence France-Presse