Toulouse forward Yoann Maestri admits he is nervous ahead of his first start for France against Ireland on Saturday.
France lock set for starting debut
Toulouse forward Yoann Maestri admits he is nervous ahead of his first start for France against Ireland on Saturday.
The 24-year-old made his international debut in France's recent win over Italy when he came on for Lionel Nallet - and he now replaces the former captain in the line-up.
Maestri, who has represented France at junior level as well as captaining France 'A' in 2010, was singled out early on in his career and has hit new heights since joining Toulouse.
The former Toulon lock admits that while he is excited about his first start he is nervous at the thought of such an important match in place of a legend like Nallet.
Apprehensive
He said: "I would be lying if I said I was very at ease, but I am going to try and suppress the apprehensive feeling this week during training with as much determination as possible so I arrive with everything needed to play my role."
Maestri was part of the Toulouse teams that won the European Cup in 2010 as well as the French title last year and said he is not fazed by playing against the legendary Munster duo Paul O'Connell and Donncha O'Callaghan.
"Like all top-class international sides, they have a superb second row, who know each other well, it will be very interesting," he said.
"Ireland are a great team, very solid.
"They are dangerous all over the pitch: the lineout and scrum, running the ball, everything. It is imperative we leave nothing to chance."
Maestri admits making it to the senior side is no easy feat, saying: "Everything is in its own time. If I am here today and I wasn't here yesterday it is because there is a reason.
"There is a hell of a lot of work to put in (in order to get here)."
