Laporte makes four pack changes for Ireland clash

French coach Bernard Laporte has named his team to face Ireland this Friday in their crucial World Cup pool game.

Laporte has largely kept the faith in the same team that hammered Namibia on Sunday night.

Captain Rafael Ibanez has had time to recover from his throat injury and starts at hooker in one of just four changes to the starting 15, all of which are in the pack.

This means Yannick Jauzion, one of the best centres in the world, remains on the bench.

Elsewhere, David Skrela and Fabien Pelous are still injured, while Imanol Harinordoquy and Christophe Dominici miss out on the match 22 despite being available for selection.

Sebastien Chabal has played his way into the second row alongside Jerome Thion, while Olivier Melous comes back as loose-head prop and Serge Betsen returns to the number six jersey.

Jean-Baptiste Elisalde retains the scrum-half spot.