Poitrenaud ready to inspire France

Clement Poitrenaud’s turnaround from flaky dilettante to committed professional will be completed on Saturday when he starts for France in their RBS 6 Nations opener against Ireland at Croke Park.

Often viewed as the darling of the French team, his style corresponding perfectly to the doctrines of rugby preached by Les Bleus, the Toulouse full-back has also been the fall guy during the team’s sticky patches over the last few years.