Six Nations: De Villiers returns as French eye grand slam

France coach Bernard Laporte had recalled prop Pieter de Villiers for the Grand Slam clash with Ireland in Paris this weekend.

De Villiers missed out on the trip to Scotland last month with an ankle injury, but the Stade Francais front-row returns to face the Irish as his team attempt to seal the Six Nations championship and their first clean sweep since 1998.

The South Africa-born player is the only change from the team which won in Murrayfield.

Lock David Auradou also failed to make the 22-10 triumph, and is forced to sit on the bench as Laporte keeps faith with second-row pairing Fabien Pelous and Olivier Brouzet.

Once again, France will be led by their inspirational skipper Fabien Galthie.

The veteran scrum-half followed up his sensational performance against England by grabbing a try and man of the match honours against the Scots.

With half-back partner Gerald Merceron also in top form, France will start odds-on favourites.

However, Ireland ended a barren run in Paris with victory on their previous victory at the Stade de France, with brilliant centre Brian O’Driscoll grabbing the first international hat-trick of his career.

O’Driscoll signalled Ireland’s intent yesterday by claiming the visitors could repeat their unlikely win of two years ago and Laporte knows his team must not allow the Lions’ centre any room if they are to take the title.

If France do slip up, it would allow England the chance to snatch the championship with victory against Italy in the final match of the competition in Rome on Sunday.