International: Lièvremont happy with selection; Nallet targets opening victory

Lièvremont was heavily criticised for his chop and change policy in the championship last year but said his experimentation, combined with a lack of serious injuries, had now led him to recognised which is his best team.

“The strongest team is always the one you have at that time, because you have to work in the parameters of injuries,” he admitted. “But there are no massive injuries at the moment and for the first time, we have been able to select the team that we wanted. And that is really satisfying.”

Lièvremont's selection for the Croke Park encounter featured international recalls for the likes of Toulouse pair Clement Poitrenaud and Florian Fritz, both absent from last year’s tournament. Poitrenaud has not played for France since the 2007 World Cup while Fritz last pulled on the national jersey in February 2007.

At half-back the coach has decided to pair Castres scrum-half Sebastien Tillous-Borde with Stade Francais’ Lionel Beauxis – both stars of the under-21 side which won the world title in 2006 under Lièvremont, but yet to play together for the senior side.

Lièvremont, however, has high hopes for the partnership, and is backing Beauxis to stake a long-term claim on the fly-half position.

“He is perhaps great French number 10 for now and for tomorrow. Out of all the fly-halves we have he is the only one who is a little Anglo-Saxon, with a great temperament and an excellent kicking game,” said the coach.

Team captain Lionel Nallet said it was imperative the French team gets off to a good start.

“It is absolutely vital we begin the Six Nations with a win,” he said. “Obviously not at any cost, as we must focus on playing a tidy clean match and managing it in a good fashion.

“However, we are all committed to winning the tournament and while it is risky to say such things it is very much the wish of the players and the coaching staff.”

And Nallet, who has 42 caps, said it was necessary for France to build on their November internationals.

“It is true we have to continue to make progress and to work at our tactics, but we must also put our stamp on matches. At the end of the day, though, we have to win matches consistently.”

The Castres player also said Ireland’s unique brand of rugby would be a massive test for his side.

“Whether it is for their provinces or for their country they are a group of players who never give up till the final whistle. It is absolutely crucial that we don’t let go of them for an instant. We have to keep our pace at a similar rate without lessening the intensity, otherwise they will make us pay big time.”