Antoine Dupont starts but France lose two players to Covid-19

Captain Antoine Dupont is fit to start but wing Damian Penaud and lock Romain Taofifenua have tested positive for Covid-19 and will miss France's Guinness Six Nations clash against Wales on Friday.

Penaud is replaced in the starting line-up by Gabin Villiere, who has recovered from injury.

Taofifenua was on the bench when France beat Scotland 11 says ago and two switches among the replacements see call-ups for Mohamed Haouas and Matthis Lebel.

Penaud apart, Les Bleus head coach Fabien Galthie has otherwise retained the team that defeated Scotland.

And that means fears have been allayed about captain and world player of the year Antoine Dupont after he suffered a knock during training on Tuesday.

Victory for France in Cardiff would leave them one win away from guaranteeing a first Six Nations title and Grand Slam since 2010.

They host England in Paris on the final round of fixtures on 19 March.

France: M Jaminet; Y Moefana, G Fickou, J Danty, G Villiere; R Ntamack, A Dupont (capt); C Baille, J Marchand, U Atonio, C Woki, P Willemse, F Cros, A Jelonch, G Alldritt.

Replacements: P Mauvaka, J-B Gros, M Haouas, T Flament, D Cretin, M Lucu, T Ramos, M Lebel.

Follow all of Ireland's Six Nations games via our live blogs on rte.ie/sport and on the RTÉ News App or listen to live radio coverage on RTÉ Radio 1. Watch live TV coverage of England v Ireland (12 March, 4.45pm) on RTÉ2 and the RTÉ Player. Highlights on Against the Head, RTÉ2, Mondays, 8pm.