France made six changes to the team that beat Scotland 27-6 at Murrayfield to play Ireland in their second match of the Six Nations championship at the Stade de France on Saturday.
Julien Bonnaire comes in at No. 8 for Elvis Vermeulen, ruled out for the remainder of the tournament with a fractured rib.
Hooker Dimitri Szarzewski, prop Nicolas Mas, lock Arnaud Mela, flyhalf David Skrela and wing Aurelien Rougerie, who started on the bench against Scotland, are all in the starting line-up.
The main surprise in the team unveiled yesterday by coach Marc Lievremont is the fact that winger Vincent Clerc, who scored two tries against Scotland, will start on the bench.
Injury-prone French backrow forward Elvis Vermeulen was ruled out of the rest of the Six Nations on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old nine-times capped Clermont star -- who missed the World Cup because of a herniated disc injury -- has been replaced in the squad by the uncapped No. 8 Louis Picamoles of Montpellier.
Vermeulen suffered a blow to his thorax during Sunday's 27-6 win over Scotland at Murrayfield, but initially declared himself fit for next Saturday's clash with Ireland at the Stade de France.
However, after training with the rest of the squad on Tuesday he pulled up with sore ribs and the immediate diagnosis was that he would be out for between four to six weeks.
It represents a dream birthday present for Picamoles, who turned 22 on Tuesday, and he will join up with two similarly young club-mates in another backrow forward Fulgence Ouedraogo, aged just 21 with two caps, and flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc, also 21 and who impressed in his debut against the Scots.
"I am finding it hard to get to grips with what has happened," Picamoles said. "It is one of the most beautiful days of my life, and what's more it is my birthday."
"My teammates will help me fit into the squad and as for starting the match, I am just happy to savour being selected in the squad. The team made a real impression on me in the match against Scotland, and I am very excited to be joining up with them," he said.
Picamoles has impressed this season -- especially in the 14-14 European Challenge Cup draw with Sale and the 37-13 thrashing of Bayonne. He scored a try in both matches and was close to being called up for the squad for the Scotland clash.
Team:
15 - Cedric Heymans, 14 - Aurelien Rougerie, 13 - David Marty, 12 - Damien Traille, 11 - Julien Malzieu, 10 - David Skrela, 9 - Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, 8 - Julien Bonnaire, 7 - Fulgence Ouedraogo, 6 - Thierry Dusautoir, 5 - Arnaud Mela, 4 - Lionel Nallet (captain), 3 - Nicolas Mas, 2 - Dimitri Szarzewski, 1 - Lionel Faure.
Replacements: 16 - William Servat, 17 - Julien Brugnaut, 18 - Loic Jacquet, 19 - Louis Picamoles, 2O - Morgan Parra, 21 - Francois Trinh-Duc, 22 - Vincent Clerc.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely