France without banned Baby

Bernard Laporte's France were without rising star Benoit Baby as they attempted to upset the odds and retain their RBS 6 Nations title at a sold-out Stadio Flaminio.

Coach Laporte had hoped to keep the same side that defeated Ireland last time out but Baby, who was named man of the match on what was his France debut in Dublin, was this week handed a four-week ban for head-butting Brian O’Driscoll.