Laporte makes two changes for Irish clash

France coach Bernard Laporte has made just two injury-enforced changes to his starting line-up to face Ireland in this weekend’s RBS 6 Nations showdown at Lansdowne Road.

Winger Aurelien Rougerie is struggling with a sternum injury and has been replaced by Toulouse flyer Cedric Heymans, while Brive centre Ludovic Valbon has been drafted into the team for Damien Traille.

Valbon had initially been brought into Laporte’s squad in preference to Jean-Philippe Grandclaude and had been expected to start on the bench.

However, he has been handed a berth in the first XV after Traille saw an old ankle injury flair up, forcing him to pull out of last Saturday’s tsunami aid match at Twickenham.

Following Traille’s withdrawal from the squad, Laporte called up uncapped Toulouse back Benoit Baby and he has been named as one of the replacements for Saturday.

The other changes on the bench see lock Pascal Pape, who has recovered from an ankle injury, and prop Pieter De Villiers come in with Imanol Harinordoquy and Olivier Milloud the men to make way.

France, the defending Six Nations champions, go to Ireland seeking an immediate response to their 24-18 home defeat to Wales last time out.

The Irish are top of the standings with a maximum six points following victories over Italy, Scotland and England.