Injury concerns for France ahead of Ireland showdown

France head coach Marc Lievremont is monitoring the fitness of two players ahead of the gathering of his 23-man squad for a week of preparation for the RBS 6 Nations opener against Ireland on Saturday.

Lock Sebastien Chabal came off with a shoulder injury less than half an hour into Sale Sharks' victory over Worcester Warriors in the Guinness Premiership yesterday.

Toulouse prop Benoit Lecouls hurt his neck in his side's Top 14 defeat at Biarritz yesterday.

Lecouls' injury is the more pressing concern for Les Bleus, although both forwards are expected to link up with the rest of the squad at France's training base in Marcoussis this evening.

Sixteen of the 23 players in the party were named as starters for their clubs yesterday.