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Raphael Lakafia replaces Damien Chouly in France squad

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 04:  Damien Chouly of France is tackled by Maro Itoje and Joe Launchbury of England during the RBS Six Nations match between Eng
Image: France back-rower Damien Chouly has been ruled out of their fixture with Ireland

France have called up Stade Francais back-row Raphael Lakafia to replace Damien Chouly ahead of their Six Nations clash with Ireland on Saturday.

Chouly, 31, came on to replace flanker Loann Goujon in France's 22-16 victory over Scotland at the Stade de France but picked up an ankle sprain in training on Monday, ruling him out of the trip to Dublin.

Goujon was ruled out of the rest of the Six Nations last week following the head injury he sustained against Scotland.

Stade Francais' French Number Eight Raphael Lakafia
Image: Stade Francais' Raphael Lakafia has been called up to the France squad as Chouly's replacement

Clermont back-rower Chouly has 45 caps for France and started in their opening 19-16 defeat to England at Twickenham.

As well as the addition of Lakafia, France have also called up Racing 92 pair Brice Dulin and Henry Chavancy as part of a 31-man squad ahead of the match with Ireland.

France's national Rugby union team N?8 Damien Chouly poses before a press conference on February 12, 2015 in Marcoussis, south of Paris. France will play I
Image: Clermont's Chouly has 45 caps for France and has been a key man in recent years

Full-back Dulin was overlooked by Guy Noves in France's initial Six Nations squad, but has now been added following an eye-catching display in Racing's 33-25 Top 14 win over Brive on Saturday.

Racing centre Chavancy, who has yet to feature for France in his career, had initially been called up last month to replace Wesley Fofana after the Clement centre injured his Achilles.

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Racing's Henry Chavancy passes the ball during the French Top 14 rugby union match between La Rochelle and Racing 92 on December 03, 2016 at the Marcel Def
Image: Racing centre Henry Chavancy could possibly make his debut for France against Ireland having been readded to the squad

Chavancy was forced to withdraw himself a day late, however, following injury, paving the way for the return of Toulon's Mathieu Bastareaud.

Chavancy, 28, has now been restored to the France squad having overcome his complaint while Bastareaud is now also out of Saturday's clash away to Ireland due to a head injury.

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