Clerc reprieved in French reshuffle
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Vincent Clerc was dropped then recalled yesterday as the France coach, Marc Lièvremont, reshuffled the team that beat Scotland for Saturday's Six Nations game against Ireland.
Lièvremont had announced six changes, handing the right-wing position of Clerc, who scored two tries at Murrayfield, to Aurélien Rougerie and keeping Julien Malzieu on the left. However, Malzieu was later been ruled out because of a torn thigh muscle and Clerc restored to the starting line-up.
In another forced change, 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 and fly-half David Skrela are also promoted to the starting line-up.
"There are many changes which are a reward for the spirit the replacements showed before and during the match against Scotland," Lièvremont said. "It seems logical to us to see everybody, to give everybody a chance while keeping the team balanced."
Centre David Marty has a back problem but is still expected to be fit.Scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Elissalde remains troubled by the knock to his ankle that forced him off at Murrayfield and he is training on his own at the moment.
France team v Ireland (4.00pm, Saturday, Stade de France, Paris): C Heymans (Toulouse); A Rougerie (Clermont-Auvergne), D Marty (Perpignan), D Traille (Biarritz), J Malzieu (Clermont-Auvergne); D Skrela (Stade Francais), J-B Elissalde (Toulouse); N Mas (Perpignan), D Szarzewski (Stade Francais), L Faure (Sale), A Mela (Albi), L Nallet (Castres), F Ouedraogo (Montpellier), T Dusautoir (Toulouse), J Bonnaire (Clermont-Auvergne). Replacements: W Servat (Toulouse), J Brugnaut (Dax), L Jacquet (Clermont-Auvergne), L Picamoles (Montpellier), M Parra (Bourgoin), F Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), V Clerc (Toulouse).
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments