Laure Sansus is preferred to Pauline Bourdon at scrum-half as one of eight changes to the France starting XV for their decisive Women’s Six Nations clash against Ireland.
The winner of the contest at Energia Park will top Pool B and book a date against Pool A winners England on Super Saturday to decide the destination of the 2021 Championship.
Despite a resounding 53-0 success over Wales back in Round 1, Annick Hayraud has opted to change over half the starting line-up for the trip to Dublin, after the Les Bleues squad was strengthened by the return of four players from France 7s duty.
Five of the eight alterations come in the backline as Sansus and Caroline Drouin form an all-new half-back partnership, with Jade Ulutule and Carla Neisen making up an entirely fresh midfield and Cyrielle Banet earning a start on the wing.
In the pack, Rose Bernadou is named at tighthead prop, Safi N’Diaye comes into the second row after appearing off the bench a fortnight ago and Marjorie Mayans starts at blindside flanker in place of the injured Céline Férer.
Gaëlle Hermet captains the team from openside once again, with the impressive Emeline Gros at No.8, although Women’s Six Nations Player of the Match from Round 1, Gabrielle Vernier, drops to a strong bench that also includes the likes of Bourdon, Morgane Peyronnet and Coumba Diallo.
France team to take on Ireland: 15. Emilie Boulard 14. Caroline Boujard 13. Carla Neisen 12. Jade Ulutule 11. Cyrielle Banet 10. Caroline Drouin 9. Laure Sansus 1. Annaëlle Deshaye 2. Agathe Sochat 3. Rose Bernadou 4. Madoussou Fall 5. Safi N’Diaye 6. Marjorie Mayans 7. Gaëlle Hermet (c) 8. Emeline Gros
Replacements: 16. Laure Touyé 17. Maïlys Traoré 18. Clara Joyeux 19. Coumba Diallo 20. Romane Menager 21. Pauline Bourdon 22. Morgane Peyronnet 23. Gabrielle Vernier
