Laporte makes three changes to squad

France coach Bernard Laporte has made three changes to the squad that lost to Wales last weekend for their next RBS 6 Nations clash against unbeaten Ireland at Lansdowne Road on March 12.

Bourgoin lock Pascal Pape has been recalled after shaking off an ankle injury and takes the place of Imanol Harinordoquy, while winger Cedric Heymans and centre Ludovic Valbon have also been named in the 22-man group.

Heymans replaces Aurelien Rougerie, who is struggling with a sternum injury, and Valbon has been preferred to Jean-Philippe Grandclaude.

Laporte, whose team lost 24-18 to Wales in Paris, will announce his starting line-up for the match against Ireland on March 8 at the federation’s official headquarters in Marcoussis, near Paris.

Squad:

Forwards: S Marconnet (Toulouse), N Mas (Perpignan), O Milloud (Bourgoin), S Bruno (Sale), W Servat (Toulouse), G Lamboley (Toulouse), P Pape (Bourgoin), F Pelous (Toulouse, captain), J Thion (Perpignan), S Betsen (Biarritz), J Bonnaire (Bourgoin), Y Nyanga (Beziers).

Backs: P Mignoni (Clermont), D Yachvili (Biarritz), Y Delaigue (Castres), F Michalak (Toulouse), D Traille (Biarritz), Y Jauzion (Toulouse), C Dominici (Stade Francais), L Valbon (Brive), C Heymans (Toulouse), J Laharrague (Brive).