France v Ireland: Teams

France captain Thierry Dusautoir has warned his team-mates to expect a huge physical encounter against Ireland in the RBS Six Nations on Saturday.

Despite being only the second round of matches in this year's tournament, the clash in Paris has already been ear-marked as a potential championship decider.

And although it is 10 year since a Brian O'Driscoll hat-trick last inspired Ireland to victory in Paris, Dusautoir is expecting a full-bloodied encounter.

"We expect a game with as much intensity as Scotland, but with a more physical side," he told L'Equipe.

"They will try to mark us. They also know how to finish off their chances around the field with three-quarters who like to play ball."

France opened up their challenge for the title with an 18-9 victory over Scotland - and although the side were criticised for their display, Dusautoir insists it is the result that counts.

He said: "We were criticised for our second half-time in Scotland, I do not care a bit. I want to win now. Even if it's 3-0, I will be happy.

Head start

"We can be as ineffective as they say this weekend and win! If we win, we will have done what we need."

France coach Marc Lievremont has been forced into making two changes to the starting XV that beat Scotland 18-9, with Vincent Clerc and Alexis Palisson coming in for the injured wingers Aurelien Rougerie and Benjamin Fall.

Ireland fly-half Ronan O'Gara has insisted his side need a flying start if they are to taste victory in Paris.

Ireland's last two visits to the French capital have seen them suffering faltering starts before staging late comebacks.

And O'Gara believes Ireland need to be fast out of the blocks if they are to silence Les Bleus.

"We've always given France too much of a head start when we've gone to Paris," said O'Gara.

"They're a formidable team when you let them play their game and they're on the front foot.

"We're usually 20-odd points down and while we manage to get back into it, it's always too late. The start is imperative this weekend.

"The first 20 minutes is exactly what we're looking at. From the national point of view it's been too long since we've won there so we're keen to address that."

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has recalled Lions duo Stephen Ferris and Keith Earls for the match, while Jonathan Sexton starts on the bench.

France:15 Clement Poitrenaud, 14 Vincent Clerc, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Yannick Jauzion, 11 Alexis Palisson, 10 François Trinh-Duc, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Imanol Harinordoquy, 7 Fulgence Ouedraogo, 6 Thierry Dusautoir (c), 5 Pascal Pape, 4 Lionel Nallet, 3 Nicolas Mas, 2 William Servat, 1 Thomas Domingo.
Replacements:16 Dimitri Szarzewski, 17 Sylvain Marconnet, 18 Julien Pierre, 19 Julien Bonnaire, 20 Frederic Michalak, 21 David Marty, 22 Julien Malzieu.

Ireland: 15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Brian O'Driscoll (capt), 12 Gordon D'Arcy, 11 Keith Earls, 10 Ronan O'Gara, 9 Tomas O'Leary, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 David Wallace, 6 Stephen Ferris , 5 Paul O'Connell, 4 Leo Cullen, 3 John Hayes, 2 Jerry Flannery, 1 Cian Healy.
Replacements: 16 Rory Best, 17 Tom Court, 18 Donnacha Ryan, 19 Sean O'Brien, 20 Eoin Reddan, 21 Jonathan Sexton, 22 Paddy Wallace