RBS 6 Nations: Marconnet, Palisson and Clerc in as France make changes for Ireland

Injuries have forced France to change both wingers for their crucial weekend clash against Six Nations champions Ireland.

Benjamin Fall and Aurélien Rougerie have been replaced by Vincent Clerc (pictured) and Alexis Palisson respectively, with head coach Marc Lièvremont also forced into one other change as veteran prop Sylvain Marconnet joins the subs' bench in place of Luc Ducalcon.

The trio of changes were all forced on Lièvremont by injuries picked up during their 18-9 win in Scotland on Sunday, and add to a growing list of absentees that already includes the likes of Julien Dupuy, Jean-Baptiste Elissalde, Fabien Barcella, Sébastien Chabal; and Damien Traille.

Clerc's recall means the 28-year-old Stade Toulousain player comes in for his 41st cap, while Brive's Palisson, 23, will earn his sixth cap on Saturday after getting the nod ahead of Clermont flyer Julien Malzieu.

Lièvremont explained that Palisson's versatility had edged him in ahead of Malzieu, with the Brive player capable of playing at full-back as well as on the wing.

Injuries apart, Lièvremont has kept faith with the team that won its opening Six Nations match, with former skipper Lionel Nallet in line to win his 50th cap in Paris, while the centre partnership of Mathieu Bastareaud - who scored twice against Scotland - and Yannick Jauzion continues. "You don't change a winning team," explained Lièvremont. 

But while the France coach is clearly happy with his playing personnel, he admitted there was still plenty of on-field improvement required despite his team's winning start.

"We were disappointed," he said of the performance against Scotland. "I believe we were in their half for 60-65% of the match and 55% possession. We failed to kill the match. It is imperative we do better, especially as Ireland have more weapons than the Scots," he warned.

"We know that with the left foot Kearney, O'Gara's vision in directing play and similarly O'Driscoll's, not to mention their superb scrum, they will pose us many problems," added Lièvremont.

Ireland coach Declan Murphy has retained fly-half Ronan O'Gara in his starting XV, with Jonny Sexton on the subs' bench.

France team v Ireland (Sat Feb 12, 17.30):