Ireland looking to bounce back against France

Ireland will return to the setting of their 2007 World Cup disaster with a team showing eight changes in personnel to the XV dispatched by Scotland.

The build-up to New Zealand continues with a challenging trip to Bordeaux, the squad's base camp four years ago, in the first of two matches against France.

There are a quartet of survivors - Ronan O'Gara, Rory Best, Donncha O'Callaghan and Denis Leamy - from the side that went desperately close to losing to Georgia at the Chaban-Delmas in 2007.

It was one of the low points of a dismal World Cup, yet today Kidney was unaware Ireland had played at the stadium, saying: "Were there two games there? I didn't know, in that case let's turn that one around."

Kidney has strengthened his team following Saturday's 10-6 loss at Murrayfield, naming a more formidable pack containing five players likely to start the tournament opener against the USA on September 11.

The first choice front row of Cian Healy, Rory Best and Mike Ross has been selected en masse.

Only Best has a doubt over his position in the pecking order with rival hooker Jerry Flannery, returning from calf injuries and included on the bench once more, hoping to regain match fitness.

Leo Cullen leads the team for a second time and is joined at lock by O'Callaghan, with the bulldozing Sean O'Brien named at openside.

Having played in the second row against Scotland, Donnacha Ryan is given the chance to underline his versatility by starting at blindside flanker.

Fly-half Ronan O'Gara replaces Jonathan Sexton, who started last weekend's 10-6 defeat by Scotland, with Eoin Reddan joining him at half-back.

The back three remains intact, allowing Rob Kearney another chance to develop match fitness following his return from a serious knee injury.

"Rob's knee is fine, he just had a bit of cramp. He did very well against Scotland for a guy playing his first match for so long. The more game time he has the better," said Kidney.

Keith Earls is given a chance at outside centre with the versatile Munster threequarter displacing Fergus McFadden onto the bench. Paddy Wallace continues at inside centre.

"This is the right selection because it's very important you pick a team you think is strong enough to win and that's what we've done," said Kidney.

Kidney insists Ireland are still smarting from their defeat to Scotland and identifies victory as they key objective in each of the warm-up games.

"Every single time winning is the most important thing," he said.

"We're still disappointed about last weekend and we'll do our level best to win this weekend because otherwise you're dishonouring the jersey.

"Whatever you call the game or series, once you pull on that jersey you're duty-bound to respect the people who have worn it in the past and the people at home by playing to the best of your ability."