Matthieu Jalibert will make his Test debut after being named to start at flyhalf for France against Ireland in the Six Nations in Paris on Saturday.

The 19-year-old, who plays for Bordeaux, will form a halfback-axis with scrumhalf Maxine Machenaud in what will be coach Jacques Brunel’s first game in charge.

Fullback Geoffrey Palis and wings Virimi Vakatawa and Teddy Thomas are the preferred back three, while Henry Chavancy and Rémi Lamerat combine in the centres.

Up front, Kevin Gourdon starts at No 8 following the puzzling omission of star eighthman Louis Picamoles from the squad. Hooker Guilhem Guirado has retained the captaincy.

France – 15 Geoffrey Palis, 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 Rémi Lamerat, 12 Henry Chavancy, 11 Virimi Vakatawa, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxine Machenaud, 8 Kevin Gourdon, 7 Yacouba Camara, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Sébastien Vahaamahina, 4 Arthur Iturria, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Guilhem Guirado, 1 Jefferson Poirot.
Subs: 16 Adrien Pelissié, 17 Dany Priso, 18 Cedate Gomes Sa, 19 Paul Gabrillagues, 20 Marco Tauleigne, 21 Antoine Dupont, 22 Anthony Belleau, 23 Benjamin Fall.