Damian Penaud will start with the Blues against Ireland in the VI Nations Tournament, on February 13, 2021. -

Christophe Ena / AP / SIPA

Two changes, and then that's it.

Winger Damian Penaud and third row Anthony Jelonch will start in the XV of France to challenge Ireland on Saturday during the second day of the VI Nations Tournament.

For the rest, the team is unchanged from the one that swept Italy last Sunday.

A great challenge awaits them with the Blues, who have not won in Dublin since a success (26-22) in 2011 in a preparatory match for the World Cup.

In the Tournament, they have not won in Dublin either since February 2011 (25-22).

Thomas and Cretin on the bench

Penaud (24 years old, 18 caps) replaces Teddy Thomas, yet author of a double in Rome, and will experience his first tenure with the France team since the defeat in Scotland (28-17), in March 2020. Jelonch ( 24 years old, 5 caps) replaces Dylan Cretin, author against Italy of his first try at the international level.

He had started two games in the Autumn Nations Cup, against Italy and England.

The main changes finally come from the bench with the left pillar of Racing 92 Hassane Kolingar, recalled to compensate for the forfeit of Jean-Baptiste Gros.

The pillar Uini Antonio (30 years old, 34 caps) also takes place on the bench, alongside Teddy Thomas and Dylan Cretin therefore but also Pierre Bourgarit, Anthony Bouthier, Romain Taofifenua and Baptiste Serin.

Ireland much less

For its part, Ireland, beaten by Wales (21-16) at the opening of the Tournament, will have to do without its usual and very experienced hinge composed of scrum half Conor Murray and opener Jonathan Sexton.

The latter, released eleven minutes from the end of the match last Sunday at the Welsh, did not meet the concussion protocol for a return to competition this weekend.

As for Murray, he injured a thigh during the week in training and is not in the squad either.

Ireland must also deal with the absence of its vice-captain and second row James Ryan (concussion) and third row wing Peter O'Mahony, suspended.

The latter received a three-game suspension after receiving a red card in Cardiff for a dangerous clearing.

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