Why are France going without the nearest thing to Blanco?

The only vague surprise about France coach Jacques Brunel’s decision to keep faith with the 23 players who beat Scotland for Sunday’s Six Nations match against Ireland was that it was the first time he has named the same side for consecutive matches since taking the job in January 2018.

Indeed, it was the first time the same French side has been named for two matches in a row since November 2017 — and, Six Nations’ Rugby statistician Stu Farmer revealed on Twitter, the first time they’ve managed it in the Six Nations since rounds four and five in 2003.